Fluoroguard™
Polymer Additive

General Overview

Fluoroguard™ is a range of colorless,odorless, and chemically inert polymer
additives based on fluorinated syntheticoil. Fluoroguard™ is designed for a variety
of uses—in gears, bushings, automotive
weather stripping and interiors, footwear,
O-rings, seals, polymer films, and even toimprove processing of snowboards.

Polymer Additive

Fluoroguard™

Introduction

Typical Properties

Fluoroguard products from Chemours are multifunctional
polymer additives based on fluorinated synthetic oil.
They are perfluoropolyether (PFPE) and have excellent
color, UV, and thermal stability. Added to plastics andelastomers, they improve processing of polymers.
Fluoroguard™ internally lubricates to improve flow
properties, processibility, throughput, uniform mixing/
dispersion of ingredients, and offers many advantages
over competitive process aids.

Fluoroguard™ is colorless, odorless, chemically inert, andnonflammable. It will act as an opacifier in most polymers,
due to the different refractive index compared to basepolymers. The typical properties of Fluoroguard™ are given
in Table 1. The results of Fluoroguard™ PCA-compoundedmaterials are discussed in this literature.

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Compounding
Fluoroguard™ can be incorporated into the polymer matrix
by using conventional melt compounding equipment(Figure 1). Some Fluoroguard™ PCA and SG grades
can be processed at temperatures as high as 360 °C(680 °F), because of excellent thermal stability and low
volatility. Fluoroguard™ PRO is designed as a processing
aid and should be used at temperatures below 177 °C(350 °F), due to volatility. The recommended loadingof Fluoroguard™ is 0.1–1.0%, depending on the basepolymer matrix and final performance desired. To realize
efficient Fluoroguard™ incorporation, a twin-screw
extruder with liquid injection capability is most suitable forcompounding this additive with thermoplastic polymers.
For thermosetting polymers, a normal mixing procedure(internal mixer or other high shear mixer) can be followed.

This patented technology improves properties of both
thermoplastic and thermoset polymers by increasing wear
and flex fatigue resistance and making parts last longer. In
addition, Fluoroguard™ eliminates marring and scratchingof polymer surfaces, such as styrene ethylene butylene
styrene (SEBS) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
Fluoroguard™ also offers other benefits, such as improved
physical properties, product gloss, surface lubricity, andreduced coefficient of friction (COF) and squeak/noise.
In some applications, Fluoroguard™ is compliant with theUSP Plastics Class VI requirements and European BlueAngel standards.
Fluoroguard™ can be used in a variety of thermoplastic
and thermosetting polymers at typically less than 1% (byweight) to improve mechanical performance of products
and processing characteristics.

Figure 1. TPU with Different Fluoroguard™ Loading
Levels

Product Form and Grades
Fluoroguard™ is a liquid additive and packaged in 1-gal
plastic bottles and 5-gal pails. Custom masterbatchesof Fluoroguard™ can also be obtained through licensed
compounders.
Three grades of Fluoroguard™—PCA, SG, and PRO—are available for different application areas of polymer
processing and compounds. Fluoroguard™ PCA isused for enhancing product performance, while also
providing processing benefits. Fluoroguard™ SG is anespecially purified form and meets USP Plastics Class VI
requirements (NAMSA tested). Fluoroguard™ PRO is basedon low molecular weight oils and primarily intended for use
as a process aid.

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Polymer Additive

Fluoroguard™

Table 1. Typical Properties of Fluoroguard™ Polymer Additives
Properties

Units/Conditions

PRO

Average Molecular Weight

Typical Values
PCA

SG—

1375

4800

4950

ViscositycSt at 50 °C (122 °F)

5101

107

Volatility

22 hr at 121 °C (250 °F)

—

<1.0%

<1.0%

Densityg/mL at 23 °C (74 °F)

1.9

1.9

1.9

Surface Tension

dyn/cm at 26 °C (79 °F)

181818

Refractive Index

nD25

1.3

1.3

1.3

Pour Point°C (°F)<–70 (<–94)<–36 (<–33)<–36 (<–33)

Appearance—

Clear liquid

Clear liquid

Clear liquid

Fluoroguard™ Benefits and Features

Surface Characteristics• Reduces wear and abrasion

Fluoroguard™ improves the surface properties of finishedpolymer products. It blooms to the part surface and helps
in reducing wear and coefficient of friction (COF). Figure 2
shows the presence of Fluoroguard™ on the surface of
TPU plaque. ESCA showed that the surface coverage
is increased with the increase in Fluoroguard™ loading inPVC (Table 2).

• Eliminates plateout and die buildup• Improves extrusion rate
• Reduces machine torque and noise• Improves melt flow and mold release• Eliminates polymer stickiness• Has little or no effect on physical properties• Eliminates marring and scratching

Figure 2. SEM Photographs of Molded Plaque Surfaceof a) TPU and b) TPU with 0.25% Fluoroguard™

• Reduces/eliminates squeak/stickinga)• Has no adverse effects on adhesion• Is inert to polymers and other chemicals• Thermally stable to 360 °C (680 °F)
In addition to these advantages, it has also been observedthat there is little or no change in initial and aged
physical properties of polymer compounds containing
Fluoroguard™.
“Fluoroguard™ internally lubricates parts to improve theirmechanical performance, without affecting their chemicalproperties,” explains Bruce Ulissi, segment manager forChemours. “This excellent lubricity helps reduce wear andcan eliminate the need for external lubrication.”b)Compound Processing
Compounds containing Fluoroguard™ can be processedin conventional thermoplastics processing equipment.
Before processing compounds, the equipment should becleaned thoroughly and purged, followed by priming withpolymer compounded with Fluoroguard™. Please review
SDS and SPI safety and operation guide for processing(e.g., injection molding and extrusion).

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Fluoroguard™

Polymer Additive

Table 2. ESCA on PVC PlaqueAbrasion Resistance

Fluoroguard™
Loading, %Surface Coverage byFluoroguard™, %

0.1

35

0.5

66

1.088

Fluoroguard™ will create a lubricating film on the productsurface, which will reduce wear and abrasion. Figure 4
shows the Taber abrasion loss of different thermoplastic
rubbers containing Fluoroguard™. The abrasion loss
is represented as percentages (control as 100%).
Fluoroguard™ reduces the abrasion loss by 10–60%,
depending on the Fluoroguard™ loading and base polymer.

The presence of Fluoroguard™ on the polymer surface
is also supported by contact angle measurement data
(Table 3). A contact angle greater than the control TPU
indicates the presence of Fluoroguard™ on the polymer
surface and the spreading coefficient is less than zero(Figure 3). This is a desirable effect of a processing aid thatenhances the flow and release properties of polymers.

Figure 4. Abrasion Resistance of Thermoplastic
Elastomers

Abrasion Loss, %120Table 3. Contact Angle Data
Contact Angles (°)
Deionized
Water

Hexadecane

97.0

28.7

TPU/0.25% Fluoroguard™

102.7

31.8

TPU/1.0% Fluoroguard

104.5

33.3

Materials
TPU
™

100
TPE80
TPU87A60
40

TPU90A

2000.25

0.5

Fluoroguard Loading, %™

Figure 3. Schematic Diagram: Wetting and Nonwetting
Mar and Scratch Resistance

LiquidMar and scratch resistance of polymers is improved withthe use of Fluoroguard™. A loading of 0.25% Fluoroguard™
in TPU eliminated marring and scratching per GM 9150-P
test (Table 4).

Wetting: S>0

Table 4. Mar and Scratch Resistance
Substrate: Polymer/Fluoroguard™

Materials

Results

TPU

Nonwetting: S<0

No Marring /Scratching

TPU/0.50% Fluoroguard™

No Marring /Scratching

TPU/1.00% Fluoroguard

No Marring /Scratching

TPU/0.25% Fluoroguard

Spreading Coefficient (S) = Surface Energy of Substrate– (Surface Tension of Liquid + Interfacial Tension)

Melt Viscosity
Fluoroguard™ improves the melt flow properties ofpolymers, resulting in improved processing. The
rheological study using a capillary rheometer showed that
Fluoroguard™ significantly reduced melt viscosity 20–40%. For example, 0.5% Fluoroguard™ reduces the shear
viscosity of Delrin® 100P (acetal) by 20% at 1000 s–1
shear rate.
4Marring /Scratching™

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Polymer Additive

Fluoroguard™

Mechanical Properties

increases flex fatigue resistance by 25% of acetal resins.
Fluoroguard™ will also eliminate die buildup and plateout,
thus reducing costly downtime.

Fluoroguard improves tensile properties of polymer
compounds, with little or no deterioration of otherproperties. Table 5 shows that tensile strength andelongation at break are significantly increased with theaddition of 0.25% Fluoroguard™ in TPU and TPE. Similar
improvements are also observed in polymer films. For
example, the addition of 0.1% Fluoroguard™ improves
the tensile strength of SEBS and polyetheramide block
copolymer (PEBA) films by 93% and 20%, respectively.
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Polymer Wear
Fluoroguard™ significantly improves the wear resistanceof polymers. This helps in increasing the service life ofpolymer gears, bearings, and other products. Figure 5
shows that the addition of 1% Fluoroguard™ reduces thewear of acetal by 97% and nylon 6 by 58%.

Table 5. Tensile Properties of Polymers

TPU

TPE

Fluoroguard™ Tensile Strength Elongation
Loading, %at Break, psi
at Break, %0.00

7660

737

0.25

8140

910

0.50

7720

490

0.00

3240

808

0.25

3760

892

0.50

3730

880

120
Acetal100
Wear Factor, %Polymer

Figure 5. Polymer Wear per ASTM 3702(vs. 1018C Steel at 40 psi, 50 ft/min)

Fluoroguard™ permits engineers to tailor propertiesof engineering polymers for a specific application. In
polymer gear and bushing applications, resins such asacetal and nylon are required to provide low friction andgood wear and flex fatigue resistance. A small amount ofFluoroguard™ helps in boosting these properties further
with little or no change in other properties (Table 6). It has
been found that Fluoroguard™ reduces COF by 30% andNylon 680604020010Fluoroguard Loading, %™

Table 6. Mechanical Properties of Polymers

Polymer
AcetalNylon

FG
Loading,%

Tensile Strengthat Yield,psi

Elongation atYield,%

FlexuralModulus,psi

Unnotched Izod
Impact Strength,
ft-lb/in

Mold
Shrinkage,
in/in

0.00

9236

9.9

380

24.6

0.0238

0.50

9275

10

400

31.3

0.0205

0.00

12170

10

450

42.7

0.0152

0.50

11460

8.3

440

38.5

0.0137

5

Polymer Additive

Fluoroguard™

Typical Applications

Handling and Safety

Fluoroguard is the product of choice where low wear andabrasion, squeak and noise reduction, lubricity, improved
melt flow and release properties of polymer compounds
are primary requirements.

Prior to handling and using Fluoroguard™, please review
the most current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and follow
recommended label directions and handling precautions.
The SDS will help you satisfy your own handling, storage,
and disposal considerations and those that may berequired by OSHA.

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Typical application areas are the following:• Polymer gear/bushings• Auto weather stripping and interiors• Shoe soles and cleats• O-rings/seals• Polymer films• Processing aids
• Cable linersCAUTION: Do not use Chemours materials in medical applications involving permanent implantation in the human body or contact with bodily fluids or tissues, unless the material has been provided from
Chemours under a written contract that is consistent with Chemours policy regarding medical applications and expressly acknowledges the contemplated use. For further information, please contact
your Chemours representative. For medical emergencies, spills, or other critical situations, call (866) 595-1473 within the United States. For those outside of the United States, call (302) 773-2000.
The information set forth herein is furnished free of charge and based on technical data that Chemours believes to be reliable. It is intended for use by persons having technical skill, at their own
discretion and risk. The handling precaution information contained herein is given with the understanding that those using it will satisfy themselves that their particular conditions of use present
no health or safety hazards. Because conditions of product use are outside our control, Chemours makes no warranties, express or implied, and assumes no liability in connection with any useof this information. As with any material, evaluation of any compound under end-use conditions prior to specification is essential. Nothing herein is to be taken as a license to operate under or arecommendation to infringe any patents.
NO PART OF THIS MATERIAL MAY BE REPRODUCED, STORED IN A RETRIEVAL SYSTEM OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL, PHOTOCOPYING, RECORDING OR OTHERWISEWITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF CHEMOURS.

For more information, visit www.fluoroguard.com© 2016 The Chemours Company TT, LLC. Fluoroguard™ and any associated logos are trademarks or copyrights of The Chemours Company TT, LLC. Chemours™ and the Chemours Logo
are trademarks of The Chemours Company.
Delrin® is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.
Replaces: H-86060-4
C-10693 (3/16)