PFA vs. Thermoset PI

PFA belongs to the thermoplastics classification, while thermoset PI belongs to the thermoset plastics. There are 17 material properties with values for both materials. Properties with values for just one material (11, in this case) are not shown.

For each property being compared, the top bar is PFA and the bottom bar is thermoset PI.

Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA)Thermoset Polyimide (PI)

Metric UnitsUS Customary Units

Mechanical Properties

Elongation at Break, %		300
Elongation at Break, %		2.0 to 5.9

Flexural Modulus, GPa		0.7
Flexural Modulus, GPa		3.1 to 4.8

Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS), MPa		30
Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS), MPa		37 to 81

Thermal Properties

Heat Deflection Temperature At 1.82 MPa (264 psi), °C		50
Heat Deflection Temperature At 1.82 MPa (264 psi), °C		370

Maximum Temperature: Mechanical, °C		260
Maximum Temperature: Mechanical, °C		260

Specific Heat Capacity, J/kg-K		1000
Specific Heat Capacity, J/kg-K		1130

Thermal Conductivity, W/m-K		0.25
Thermal Conductivity, W/m-K		0.29 to 1.7

Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		120
Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		38 to 54

Electrical Properties

Dielectric Constant (Relative Permittivity) At 1 MHz		2.6
Dielectric Constant (Relative Permittivity) At 1 MHz		3.1

Dielectric Strength (Breakdown Potential), kV/mm		22
Dielectric Strength (Breakdown Potential), kV/mm		20

Electrical Resistivity Order of Magnitude, 10^x Ω-m		16
Electrical Resistivity Order of Magnitude, 10^x Ω-m		15

Otherwise Unclassified Properties

Density, g/cm³		2.2
Density, g/cm³		1.4 to 1.6

Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI), %		80
Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI), %		40

Water Absorption After 24 Hours, %		0
Water Absorption After 24 Hours, %		0.14 to 0.24

Common Calculations

Strength to Weight: Axial, points		3.9
Strength to Weight: Axial, points		6.5 to 16

Strength to Weight: Bending, points		10
Strength to Weight: Bending, points		16 to 30

Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s		0.12
Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s		0.18 to 0.95