What are the alternatives to Halar ECTFE coating?

I can’t count the number of times I’ve received calls asking about Halar ECTFE availability over the past year. With the global supply chain in turmoil, it seems like every other week there’s another raw ingredient shortage. Luckily, Crest Coating’s 50+ years of expertise in specialty & functional coatings allows us to confidently recommend alternative options for any application. 

One of the most in-demand materials in the past year has been Solvay Halar® ECTFE (Ethylene ChloroTriFluoroEthylene) coating.  Halar is applied for extremely critical applications, such as chemical resistance in chemical tanks & ventilation systems, and it can even be used to protect sensitive components during semiconductor fabrication.  Halar rated to withstand temperatures up to 300°F, so it holds up in even severe environments.  However, with no clear indication of when more Halar will become available, Crest Coating has been suggesting alternative coatings to our clients that need coating solutions now.  

The most comparable alternative to Halar ECTFE would be the Teflon Tefzel ETFE (a copolymer of Ethylene & TetraFluoroEthylene).  It offers excellent chemical resistance, physical toughness, and  abrasion resistance that is comparable to Halar ECTFE.  Teflon Tefzel also has the benefit of being FDA approved for food contact or medical uses.

While Tefzel and Halar ECTFE both are rated to a maximum temperature of 300°F, we often get requests for higher temperature resistance.  The fluoropolymer PFA (PerFluoroAlkoxy) offers superb chemical resistance at extreme temperatures up to 500°F. It also has high dielectric strength, and excels in nonstick applications like molding & bakeware.  Within the PFA family of coatings, there are a range of variations tailored to excel in certain areas. Some of these properties include permeation resistance for chemical applications, toughness for medical applications, and resistance to rapid temperature cycling helps with industrial bakeware & food processing, among many others.  

Rarely is there a one-size-fits all coating, and Crest Coating specializes in offering customized coating solutions for challenging projects. If you’d like to discuss your project in detail, please feel free to contact me directly at the phone number or email listed below.  For general inquiries, you can always send an email to our Sales Team for review.