DuPont Teflon® FEP CJ-95 Fluoropolymer Resin

Subcategory: Fluoropolymer; Thermoplastic; FEP

Key Words: DuPont Fluoroproducts; DuPont FEP

Material Notes:
DuPont™ Teflon® FEP CJ-95 is a melt-processible fluoropolymer resin specifically designed for cable insulation and jacketing applications that demand a high degree of stress crack resistance.

This resin provides the electrical and mechanical properties needed for low-voltage applications. Teflon® FEP CJ-95 has a higher melt flow rate than Teflon® FEP 140, but it retains similar stress crack resistance.

Like all Teflon® fluoropolymer resins, Teflon® FEP CJ-95 offers an excellent combination of properties: chemical inertness, exceptional dielectric properties, heat resistance, toughness, flexibility, low coefficient of friction, nonstick characteristics, negligible moisture absorption, low flammability, performance at temperature extremes, and weather resistance.

Teflon® FEP CJ-95 can be processed by conventional thermoplastic techniques, melt extrusion and transfer molding. It shows, compared to Teflon®FEP 140, a higher MFR and critical shear rate at processing temperatures. In similar constructions, it can be processed at much higher rates and line speeds. The final product will show comparable physical properties. It can be used in place of Teflon® FEP 100 when the application requires a higher degree of stress crack resistance.

Stress crack resistance is an important element in establishing end-use performance. Extensive testing of wire and cable constructions is required for definitive performance evaluation. However, the MIT folding endurance or flex life test (ASTM D2176), when performed on a thin film of resin, can have a good correlation with extensive cable testing. The higher the MIT flex life, the higher the stress crack resistance of the resin. The folding endurance of the high productivity grade Teflon® FEP CJ-95 is marginally inferior to Teflon® FEP 140. DuPont does, however, always recommend, in particular for applications involving repeated thermal and flex cycling, to undertake more extensive and more specific tests on the final product itself. The MIT test results should be viewed as a guide to comparative performance of the various grades of resin.

Applications

Teflon® FEP CJ-95 fluoropolymer resin is used in many applications. One of the largest uses is as a jacket for telecommunications/data cables where Teflon® FEP CJ-95 not only provides excellent fire performance and physical properties but also superior electrical performance. In this role, it is ideal as a jacket material for constructions meeting Article 725 and Article 800 of the National Electric Code (NEC) where Teflon® FEP CJ-95 provides superior dielectric properties for rapid, clear signal transmission. Because of its exceptionally low flame and smoke properties, cables made with Teflon® FEP CJ-95 can be made to meet the requirements of Underwriters Laboratory “UL 910 Steiner Tunnel Test” for installation in plenums without metal conduits.

As a cable jacket, Teflon® FEP CJ-95 helps ensure long, reliable cable life and easy, economical installation. Its low coefficient of friction and flexibility makes cables easy to pull around corners and obstacles and through air-return plenums. Its toughness and abrasion resistance help eliminate cut-through and other damage that can occur during installation. Because jacketing of Teflon® FEP minimizes reel set, it provides for fast, economical installation. Cables jacketed with Teflon® FEP possess the outstanding chemical resistance of Teflon® FEP and stand up to most exposure conditions, including: heat, weather, ultraviolet light, and moisture.