What structural changes will occur to PTFE-coated fiberglass fabric in chemically corrosive environments?
This article examines structural changes of PTFE-coated fiberglass fabric in chemically corrosive environments. PTFE coating is extremely stable in most media (including aqua regia, concentrated acids, organic solvents) — molecular chains remain virtually unchanged. Exceptions: molten alkali metals extract fluorine causing carbonization (brown/black, brittle); strong fluorinating agents (F₂, ClF₃) break carbon-carbon backbone; some Freon-type solvents cause swelling; hot concentrated oxidizing acids slowly introduce polar groups on surface.
