Fluoropolymer Coatings

Along with their corrosion resistance and non-stick properties, fluoropolymers also exhibit excellent resistance to fire. This property is extremely useful in ducting for semiconductor, nuclear or any industrial environments were engineers or insurance assessors regard the current ducting as a fire risk. The company has developed two duct systems were all of the above properties are used to their full advantage:

APSALON Teflon coated Corrosive Fume Exhaust ducts.
Many industries have a need for exhausting corrosive fumes from some of their production processes. One good example is the semiconductor industry, where multiple etching processes are used, involving a variety of acids, bases and other types of chemicals. These fumes have to be exhausted and transported to an environmental cleanup operation before disposal.

Traditionally polypropylene or PVC ductwork has been used to perform this function. The main disadvantage of these materials is however their behavior in case of fire. Both materials have a low oxygen index and a high heat of combustion. Moreover their chemical resistance is limited at high temperatures.

In order to solve these problems, Apsalon a stainless steel duct system coated internally with Halar ETFE has been developed.

Other industries can also benefit from the Apsalon coating system as more insurance companies are now aware of the potential fire risks of PVC and Polypropylene lined ducting.

KLEENCOTE Fire resistant and non-stick ducting.
Where the emphasis is more on ease of cleaning and fire resistance then the company has developed Kleencote, which has an excellent non-stick surface with the non-flammable nature of fluoropolymers.

Both of the above systems have the following advantages:

• Fluoropolymer coatings are non flammable and generate low smoke.
• Apsalon duct is Factory Mutual Research Association (FMRC) FM4922 approved and can be used without sprinklers.
• Fluoropolymers provide an outstanding barrier to a wide range of chemicals at elevated temperatures.
• The stainless steel exterior provides a reliable level of mechanical properties allowing the system to operate over a wide range of pressures (both positive and negative).
• The concept allows easy installation using Gore-Tex gaskets and bolted flanges.
• Parts under 350mm diameter can be adjusted on site, because of the ductility of the coating and the excellent adhesion of the Fluoropolymer to the stainless steel which allows flaring.
• Fluoropolymer coated duct can be easily dismounted and re-used at another location.
• No disposal problem, the duct does not absorb nor retain any process chemicals.

APS Ltd., Pearce Ave., West Pitkerro Industrial Estate, Dundee DD5 3RX. Tel: +44 (0) 1382 868584. Fax: +44 (0) 1382 868585.