New Coextruded PCTFE-Based Moisture Barrier Films for High Performance Packaging, 1998 Polymers, Laminations & Coatings Conference Proceedings

AlliedSignal has been major participant in the field of fluoropolymers for many years and is basic in the fluorine raw materials. Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) was discovered in the late 1950’s and has been commercially produced since the 1960’s. One of the key attributes of this material is its high optical clarity and superior moisture barrier.

One of the key strategies that has been used to for early success was vertical integration. The value chain for production of PCTFE starts with fluorspar minerals. These minerals are made into hydrofluoric acid which in turn is made into CTFE monomer. This monomer is sold on the open market to a variety of fluoropolymer producers. This monomer polymerizes into PCTFE resin that is converted primarily into film products. We are continuing to develop a range of films for industrial, electrical, pharmaceutical, and medical packaging applications.

PCTFE film is used most widely today for producing blister packs where the top web is typically 20u Al foil; the bottom web can be comprised of PCTFE film laminated to a support film such as PVC or PP or PET-G in the thickness range 100u to 250u depending on the desired characteristics. PE film can also be used as an additional layer in the laminate.

When extruded into a film using a modification of traditional casting techniques, the films thickness has historically been in the range of 15u to 250u.