Polyvinylidene fluoride PVDF (Kynar)

C2H2F2 (smallest repeat unit as listed by NASA)

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF, sold as Kynar by Arkema and as KF Polymer by Kureha) is a semicrystalline fluoropolymer.

9 sources · Updated 2026-10-19 · CC BY 4.0

Evidence level

5 of 5

Flown or field-proven

Stiff enough for moulded parts

1655 MPa flexural modulus

Hold a melt window

169 °C melting temperature

Survive in orbit

1.29e-24 cm3/atom

Recipe, share of the weight

  • C not statedCarbon
  • H not statedHydrogen
  • F not statedFluorine

Best for

Chemically resistant moulded parts and lithium-ion electrode binder: a 1.78 specific gravity and a 169 to 171 °C melting range in the Kynar 1000 Series

Weakest at

Stiffness and heat under load: a tensile yield strength of 45 to 55 MPa and a heat deflection temperature of 125 to 140 °C at 0.45 MPa

Risk at a glance

  • People Low. No classification read
  • If it fails Moderate. Atomic oxygen erosion in low Earth orbit
  • Corrosion Moderate. Kynar dissolves in a short list of active solvents at ambient temperature.

Quick facts: PVDF (Kynar)

Key properties of PVDF (Kynar)
PropertyValueBasis
Density1.76 to 1.78 dimensionless2 sourced values across conditions
Melting point169 to 171 °C1 sourced value

What is the density of Polyvinylidene fluoride?

Polyvinylidene fluoride has a density of 1.76 to 1.78 dimensionless. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What is the melting point of Polyvinylidene fluoride?

Polyvinylidene fluoride has a melting point of 169 to 171 °C. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is Polyvinylidene fluoride used for?

Uses recorded in the sources include Binder in lithium-ion electrodes; Polymer sample on a space flight experiment; Insulated wire and heat-shrink tubing.

Why it exists

PVDF is a semicrystalline fluoropolymer. The Arkema 1000 Series is printed with a specific gravity of 1.76 to 1.78 and a melting range of 169 to 171 °C. Kureha sells PVDF as a lithium-ion electrode binder in grades with inherent viscosities from 1.1 to 2.5 dl/g. The MISSE 2 flight sample has an erosion yield of 1.29e-24 cm3/atom.

Where it's used

Lithium-ion electrode binder

Kureha says KF Polymer was selected as the binder when lithium-ion batteries were first commercialised in 1991, and that it has been the longest-used binder in the world.

Insulated wire and heat-shrink tubing

Arkema says radiation cross-linked Kynar makes heat-shrinkable tubing and insulated wire rated for continuous temperatures up to 180 °C.

Recipe

C2H2F2 (smallest repeat unit as listed by NASA)

PVDF is a linear chain of repeat units -(CH2-CF2)-, each built from one vinylidene fluoride monomer, C2H2F2 (PubChem CID 6369, molecular weight 64.03). Polymerisation conditions and catalyst were not read from a permitted source in this run.

What PVDF (Kynar) is made of
IngredientShare of the weightWhat it does
Carbon C not stated Backbone of each repeat unit, CH2 and CF2 carbons.
Hydrogen H not stated Two hydrogens on the CH2 group of each repeat unit.
Fluorine F not stated Two fluorines on the CF2 group of each repeat unit.

Weight shares are as printed in the sources.

What it can do

Stiff enough for moulded parts

1655 MPa flexural modulus

measured

The Kynar 1000 Series has a flexural modulus of 1655 to 2310 MPa and a tensile yield strength of 45 to 55 MPa, as printed on the Arkema page.

Hold a melt window

169 °C melting temperature

measured

The Kynar 1000 Series melts at 169 to 171 °C by ASTM D3418, as printed on the Arkema page.

Survive in orbit

1.29e-24 cm3/atom

measured

NASA lists a MISSE 2 erosion yield for PVDF of 1.29e-24 cm3/atom.

How it compares

The values here are for different products and test sources, so read the table rows as examples, not a ranking. The Arkema values are for the 1000 Series and the Kureha values are for binder grades.

The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details. Other materials are shown beside it; each was measured under its own conditions, so open its page before comparing closely. Compare every grade in the family.

Benchmarks
MeasurementPVDF (Kynar)AFPCTFE (CTFE, Kel-F)ECTFE (Halar)ETFEFEPPFAPTFEPVFPVF (white Tedlar)
Thermal behavior and safety
Deflection temperature at 0.45 MPa, Kynar 1000 SeriesASTM D648, as printed on the manufacturer page125 °C156 °Cno data115 °Cno datano data91 °Cno datano datano data
Melting temperature, Kynar 1000 SeriesASTM D3418, as printed on the manufacturer page169 °Cno datano datano datano datano datano datano datano datano data
Physical and electrical
Hardness, Kynar 1000 SeriesASTM D2240, as printed on the manufacturer page77 Shore Dno datano datano datano datano datano datano datano datano data
Temperature behavior
Glass transition temperature (DMA), Kynar 1000 SeriesDMA at 1 Hz, as printed on the manufacturer page-40 °C160 °C45 °Cno datano datano datano data170 Kno data-20 °C
Other measurements
Specific gravity, Kynar 1000 Series (homopolymer)ASTM D792, as printed on the manufacturer page1.76 dimensionless1.78 noneno datano datano datano datano datano datano datano data
Flexural modulus, Kynar 1000 SeriesASTM D790, printed as psi with MPa in brackets1655 MPa1.8 GPano datano datano data520 MPa0.54 GPano datano datano data
Tensile yield strength, Kynar 1000 SeriesASTM D638, printed as psi with MPa in brackets45 MPano datano datano datano datano datano datano datano datano data
Tensile modulus, Kynar 1000 SeriesASTM D638, printed as psi with MPa in brackets1379 MPano datano datano datano datano datano datano datano datano data
Tensile elongation at break, Kynar 1000 SeriesASTM D638, as printed on the manufacturer page20 %no datano datano datano datano datano datano datano datano data
Notched Izod impact strength, Kynar 1000 SeriesASTM D256, as printed on the manufacturer page1.8 ft-lbf/in1no datano datano datano datano datano datano datano datano data
Specific gravity, PVDF (distributor page)ISO 1183, as printed on the distributor page1.78 dimensionless1.78 noneno datano datano datano datano datano datano datano data
Tensile strength at break, PVDF (distributor page)ASTM D638, printed as psi with MPa in brackets35 MPano datano datano datano datano datano datano datano datano data
Inherent viscosity, KF Polymer W#1100 (homopolymer)1.1 dl/g2no datano datano datano datano datano datano datano datano data
Inherent viscosity, KF Polymer W#97002.5 dl/g3no datano datano datano datano datano datano datano datano data
Atomic oxygen erosion yield, PVDF (MISSE 2)1.29×10^-24 cm³/atom41.98×10^-25 cm³/atom8.31×10^-25 cm³/atom1.79×10^-24 cm³/atom9.61×10^-25 cm³/atom2×10^-25 cm³/atom1.73×10^-25 cm³/atom1.42×10^-25 cm³/atom3.19×10^-24 cm³/atom1.01×10^-25 cm³/atom

Why choose it, and why not

Good for

  • Moulded parts that need chemical resistance: a specific gravity of 1.76 to 1.78 in the Kynar 1000 Series.
  • Lithium-ion electrode binder: Kureha grades from 1.1 to 2.5 dl/g inherent viscosity.
  • Known atomic oxygen behaviour: 1.29e-24 cm3/atom on MISSE 2, measured in low Earth orbit.

Watch out for

  • Heat under load: the heat deflection temperature is 125 to 140 °C at 0.45 MPa, well below the melting range of 169 to 171 °C.
  • Stiffness: a tensile yield strength of 45 to 55 MPa is low for a structural metal replacement.
  • Atomic oxygen erodes PVDF at 1.29e-24 cm3/atom, so exterior use needs protection or a rate allowance.
  • No outgassing or UV result for PVDF in space was found beyond the erosion yield, and no polymer safety data sheet was read.

PVDF is a fluoropolymer with a specific gravity of 1.76 to 1.78 and a melting range of 169 to 171 °C in the Kynar 1000 Series, a binder role in lithium-ion electrodes, and a MISSE 2 erosion yield of 1.29e-24 cm3/atom in low Earth orbit. Arkema reports essentially unchanged tensile strength after 100 Mrad of gamma radiation and resistance to most acids and weak bases. Its heat deflection of 125 to 140 °C at 0.45 MPa limits use under load, and no polymer safety data sheet, UV or outgassing value was found.

Technical details

For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.

Notes

The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.

Notes for the numbered rows
#MeasurementMethodConditionsCaveat
1Notched Izod impact strength, Kynar 1000 Series—series Kynar 1000 Seriestemperature 23 °Cnotch notched—
2Inherent viscosity, KF Polymer W#1100 (homopolymer)Grade table as printed by the manufacturer; no test standard printedgrade W#1100polymer type homopolymer—
3Inherent viscosity, KF Polymer W#9700Grade table as printed by the manufacturer; no test standard printedgrade W#9700—
4Atomic oxygen erosion yield, PVDF (MISSE 2)Measured on MISSE 2 flight samples, listed in NASA TM-2008-215490platform ISS, MISSE 2 PEC 2 tray 1, low Earth orbitexposure 3.95 years, 8.43e21 atoms/cm2 fluence—

Corrosion and compatibility

What happens when it meets other materials and environments.

Corrosion and compatibility
EnvironmentConcernWhat happens
Gamma radiation, 100 Mrad, cobalt-60 source at 50 °C in high vacuum low Tensile strength is essentially unchanged after 100 Mrad of gamma radiation.1
Electron-beam dose up to 20 Mrad low Tensile modulus of Kynar 460 stays between 170 and 200 psi from 0 to 20 Mrad.2
Most acids, weak bases, halogens, oxidants and salts at ambient temperature low Arkema rates Kynar PVDF as resistant to most of these, using long-term immersion ratings for worst-case conditions.3
Active solvents, including DMF, DMAc, NMP and DMSO, at ambient temperature moderate Kynar dissolves in a short list of active solvents at ambient temperature.4
Basic solutions low Arkema says Kynar is not soluble in basic solutions. No alkali-attack result was read.5
Corrosion details
#EnvironmentDetailsTest conditions
1 Gamma radiation, 100 Mrad, cobalt-60 source at 50 °C in high vacuum Impact strength and elongation are slightly reduced by cross-linking. Arkema calls resistance to nuclear radiation excellent and says Kynar components have been used in nuclear reclamation plants. dose 100 Mrad gammatemperature 50 °Catmosphere high vacuum, 10-6 torrgrade Kynar resins in general, grade not named
2 Electron-beam dose up to 20 Mrad Kynar 460 tensile modulus reads 170 psi unirradiated and 190 psi at 20 Mrad. Ultimate tensile strength rises from 6200 psi unirradiated to 7200 psi at 20 Mrad. Arkema reports minimal changes across the grades in its tables. method ASTM D882, as printeddoses 0, 2, 4, 8 and 20 Mradgrade Kynar 460 in the table read
3 Most acids, weak bases, halogens, oxidants and salts at ambient temperature Arkema says Kynar homopolymers are generally resistant to chemicals in these classes at ambient temperature. The per-chemical ratings sit in its chemical resistance chart, which was not read here. basis Arkema general statement; per-chemical ratings not readtemperature ambient
4 Active solvents, including DMF, DMAc, NMP and DMSO, at ambient temperature Arkema lists active solvents that dissolve at least 5 to 10 weight percent Kynar, including tetrahydrofuran, methyl ethyl ketone, dimethyl formamide, dimethyl acetamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and dimethyl sulfoxide. Its latent solvents, such as acetone and cyclohexanone, do not dissolve or substantially swell the homopolymer at room temperature. temperature ambientconcentration at least 5 to 10 wt% for active solvents
5 Basic solutions Arkema lists basic solutions among the classes in which Kynar resins are not soluble. Dehydrofluorination by a strong base was not found on the pages read. basis Arkema general statement; no test conditions printed

Risks and side effects

Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.

For people

The polymer has no classification in the sources read; the monomer does, from PubChem.

Classification
No PVDF polymer safety data sheet was read. PubChem's classification covers the monomer vinylidene fluoride, not the polymer.

If it fails

The failure route in these sources is erosion in orbit, measured on one flight sample.

Atomic oxygen
On MISSE 2 the erosion yield was 1.29e-24 cm3/atom, as listed in NASA TM-2008-215490.

Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.

Failure risks

Failure risks
FailureTrigger and consequence
Atomic oxygen erosion in low Earth orbitmoderate severityExposure of a PVDF part to atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit, as on the MISSE 2 flightSurface erosion at a yield of 1.29e-24 cm3/atom as measured on MISSE 2

Handling and storage

  • The monomer vinylidene fluoride is an extremely flammable, pressurised gas (PubChem H220 and H280). This applies to the feedstock, not the polymer powder.
  • Burning: a limiting oxygen index of 43 means the polymer burns only in air enriched above 43 percent oxygen, per Arkema.

Supply and geography

How common the raw materials are and where they come from.

Fluorine feedstock

Mine production by country

US import reliance

Reserves

Alternative fluorine source

Producers

Producers