Why do I need a license to use Fluoroguard®?
There are several patents (issued and pending) that cover the addition of Fluoroguard® to polymers. That is why we insist on license agreements. Patents exist to cover both thermoplastic and thermoset polymers. There are some applications that are not allowed, such as medical implants over 30 days. Other medical applications must be reviewed case-by-case by DuPont and become part of the license.

How do I decide which grade to use?
PCA is our standard oil additive for wear and friction improvements, particularly for long-term needs. The PCA is stable up to 360°C (680°F) and will last the life of the polymer. PCA has been successfully compounded into polymers as high as 360°C, e.g. in PEEK, with great success. Safety warnings are required for this material since it can be used in many different high temperature applications. The decomposition products given off up to 360°C are low molecular weight fractions. Refer to the MSDS for additional details.

SG is a USP Class VI, Namsa-certified additive for medical applications. It performs identical to PCA, but is a purified version.

PRO is a lower molecular weight oil, chemically identical to PCA, that is recommended for use as a processing aid and also to improve physical properties in polymers processed at lower temperatures(mostly below 177°C or 350°F due to evaporative losses). It is significantly lower in cost.

FSM is similar to PCA, but with a fluorosurfactant end group. It is designed for use in thermosets, although little test data exists for this additive.

What is the recommended loading (wt. %)?
PCA & SG: standard recommendation is to add PCA (or SG) at 0.5%, as we found that to be the most cost-effective. You may prefer to go up to 0.75%, which is the optimal loading in most thermoplastics (thermosets need a slightly higher loading). Many polymers see excellent performance at 0.25%, particularly the more crystalline ones, such as acetal. Be sure to prime your equipment when running Fluoroguard®, as the oil will wet out metal surfaces initially, which is actually good for processing properties. If not primed, you may find very little oil in the first run and reduced effectiveness. See our compounding and processing guides. We also found that using Fluoroguard® with 3%-5% PTFE is good for high load applications, particularly in acetal and nylon.

PRO: Standard recommendation is to add PRO at 0.1%, as we found good results there. You may need to go up to 0.25% to achieve the scratch & mar performance as well as other physical property improvements. Be sure to prime the equipment when running Fluoroguard®, as the oil will initially wet out metal surfaces, which is actually good for processing properties. If not primed, you may find very little oil in the first run.

What are the key performance benefits?
As far as Fluoroguard® benefits in thermoplastics, we have done testing in several polymers. Our testing indicates most polymers will see varying levels of improvement in the following:

• Improved scratch & mar
• Reduced brittleness (improved flex fatigue)
• Excellent processing aid improvements, including melt flow, die build-up, plateout, component dispersion, etc.
• No reduction in physical properties as opposed to all other lubricant additives
• Lubrication at the surface as opposed to PTFE (due to surface migration), and much lower levels needed, typically 0.5% or less. We do recommend using a combination of Fluoroguard® and PTFE in high load applications.
• Improved surface finish
• Much improved wear and abrasion resistance
• Reduced COF
• Acts as a plasticizer in many polymers to promote crystallization
• Maintains molecular weight of polymer when processed
• Does not adversely affect adhesion in polymers tested
• Has been approved for use (under tradename Krytox®) in auto assembly plants, i.e. does not affect paint surfaces

What about Flex fatigue/Tensile/Tear/Elongation improvements?
Flex fatigue is improved, particularly in acetal. Tensile, Tear and Elongation are all either improved or unchanged (silicone and PTFE both have a negative impact). The amount of improvement depends on the specific polymer, proper compounding of the oil, and the percent loading. We have data on this in our brochure.

Do you have scratch and mar data?
Scratch and mar is eliminated in TPU & SEBS in the GM test with all levels of Fluoroguard®. Fluoroguard® will improve all polymers but we have not tested them all, so we recommend the user test it themselves. We would expect to see significant improvement in most polymers.

Can Fluoroguard® eliminate die build-up & plateout?
Plateout is caused by PTFE build-up and other particles sticking to the dies, etc. Fluoroguard® is an excellent lubricant and dispersion aid, thus it eliminates anything from sticking to the dies. Die build-up is decreased/eliminated in acetal, nylon, and TPE (Hytrel®). We do not have data for other compounds but the affect would be similar. We would expect no die build-up in PE. It also eliminates stickiness in Hytrel® (a DuPont TPE) and other polymers.

Compounding with Fluoroguard®:
We do not compound and/or provide polymer samples with our oils. If a customer has liquid additive capability, we can sample the oils. It is very important to mix in the oil thoroughly and allow for the low surface tension of our oils. They will "wet out" all metal surfaces. This means it is necessary to prime the equipment before extruding/molding parts, as the oil will coat the die, etc. It also means that when mixing the oil into a polymer in a mixer, the oil must be thoroughly dispersed. The oil will typically coat all metal surfaces, so more than the desired amount must be added. If there are any questions about whether the desired amount of oil is in a particular sample, we can test the sample for oil content through a fluorine burn test.

For thermoplastic polymer samples (except PVC), call RTP Company, the largest compounder in our program. They strongly promote Fluoroguard® performance on their website (and through a link from our website). We also welcome new compounders to our program but need to evaluate polymer samples to ensure they are effectively adding the oil at the proper levels to improve performance.

Sample testing to ensure Fluoroguard® loading:
We can test polymer samples to determine the amount of Fluoroguard®. Samples can be sent to our Technical Service Lab for fluorine burn testing. Previous approval must be obtained prior to shipping samples.

Sourcing options for thermoplastics with Fluoroguard®:
You can buy most polymers from a current licensed compounder who already has the expertise to obtain the desired concentration. An excellent choice is RTP Company, Winona, MN. Others are listed on our website and we are always evaluating new compounders.

Masterbatches options:
If a customer does not have the capability to use liquid additives, they may prefer a masterbatch concentrate. RTP Company can make masterbatches of concentrate with Fluoroguard® in most polymers that can be "letdown", or mixed in, to their current formulation. RTP also makes color concentrates and can add Fluoroguard® to them at 12%-18% in any thermoplastic except PVC. RTP has plantsites in Europe and Asia. All sites are able to produce polymers with Fluoroguard®. They provide samples in many cases. This seems to be a desirable option for many customers, and ensures they get the correct loading.

We will gladly work with other compounders to get them licensed to use Fluoroguard®. Call our Hotline, 1-800-424-7502, to discuss how to become licensed.

Typical polymers we have had success with:

• TPU (Thermoplastic Urethane)
• TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer)
• Polyurethane
• PP (polypropylene)
• PE (polyethylene), of which there is HD (High-Density), LD (Low-Density), and UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight)
• PEEK
• Acetal
• Nylon
• PVC

Fluoroguard® performance vs. PTFE & silicone:
Fluoroguard® oils are excellent replacements for PTFE and silicone, depending on the polymer and the application. Most of the PTFE replacement is in acetal and nylon. We find that you can reduce the PTFE to below 5% (or eliminate it if loads are not high) by adding 0.5% or less Fluoroguard® PCA. Our literature provides more data on this, as does RTP Company literature and website. Silicone can be eliminated with the use of Fluoroguard®.

Surface migration/blooming:
Fluoroguard® will migrate to the surface, but not all of it. Some is trapped in the polymer. As the surfaces wears, more oil will bloom to the surface. The oils have low surface tensions and will wet out surfaces (metal, plastic, etc). It is important to compound the oil into the polymer (rather than add it to the polymer during processing) so it gets evenly dispersed. This will ensure optimal performance.

EPDM (thermoset rubber):
We have used Fluoroguard® extensively as a topical treatment for EPDM rubber seals and it is very effective in improving seal life by preventing water and other contaminants from attacking the rubber and drying it out. We have fewer commercial applications compounding the oil into EPDM. Producers typically want very large volumes to compound the oil into the rubber. They typically want very large volumes. We also believe it is necessary to tweak the formulation to allow the oil to bloom to the surface. Currently, you may have to use as much as 2%-3% to obtain the best result, as the oil can become trapped in the rubber matrix. The processing temperature would determine the grade, but we suggest you use the PCA oil for longest life. Our FSM oil has also been used in these applications. It has a surfactant end-group that may aid in processing. If you have the ability to get our oil compounded into EPDM, we are willing to work with you to run trials. If you want to test the effectiveness as a topical lube, we can send samples for that purpose. If you do not have liquid additive capability, please contact us for a recommendation on obtaining samples with Fluoroguard®.

Important information needed to recommend a product:
Please let us know what polymers you are working with, processing temperatures, and compounding capability. We do not supply polymer samples containing our oil. If you do not have compounding capability, thermoplastic polymer samples can be obtained from licensed compounders listed on our website.

Acid Level:
There is no acid in Fluoroguard®.

Purging:
A standard purge will eliminate the oil from the system, so contamination is not an issue for future runs.

Effect of printing performance by Fluoroguard® blooming:
We have seen no negative effect on printing or painting caused by Fluoroguard®. We always recommend testing by the end-user.

Effect of adhesion by adding Fluoroguard®:
Adhesion does not seem to be affected by the addition of Fluoroguard® addition. In fact, a major shoe manufacturer reported that adhesion of TPU in a soccer cleat was actually better with Fluoroguard®. We believe the smoother surface finish achieved using Fluoroguard® provides more area to adhere to.

Polymer clouding/clarity:
An important property when using Fluoroguard® is that it will opacify most polymers (turning it off-white). The refractive index is 1.3.

Weatherstripping:
Fluoroguard® works well in PVC. Some of the original patent work was done in PVC. We believe there is a good opportunity to replace EPDM in automotive weather-stripping with PVC, due to its ease of use. An extrudable thermoplastic is much more desirable than a thermoset rubber, and is much easier to mold. Fluoroguard® will help PVC both as a processing aid and as a lubricant to reduce noise (squeak) and extend life.

Molded Interiors - PVC and Polypropylene:
PVC and polypropylene are the most common materials used in molded interiors and cause squeaking at points where parts overlap. We believe Fluoroguard® in PVC and Polypropylene would be excellent in this application. Fluoroguard® addition can improve surface lubricity and be used to reduce ambient noise.

You should see improvement at very low percentages, most likely 0.25% and below. Please contact us for information on PVC compounders that have used Fluoroguard®.

Gears (acetal and nylon and some TPE's):
We have commercial applications in gears. We have some data to support gear applications (thrust washer testing). There are no gear testers that are proven accurate and accepted in the industry. Also, gear manufacturers vary widely in gear precision, thus the gear may only be as good as the molder. The only valid test method is to run a live test by the end-user.

Bearings (acetal, nylon, polyethylene):
Bearings are an excellent application for Fluoroguard® due to its excellent wear reduction.

Polyurethane coatings:
We have seen excellent wear and abrasion resistance in polyurethane coatings.

Medical devices, such as catheters:
Fluoroguard® SG is widely used for medical applications and is USP Class VI Namsa certified. If looking for a compounder, Foster and RTP Company are both involved in this industry. Fluoroguard® improves the surface finish of TPU's used in catheters. Special licenses are required for implantables. We will only sell for less than 30-day invasive products, with a special license required.