Crystalline polyvinyl fluoride with white pigment PVF (white Tedlar)

spore: profile
id: pvf-white-tedlar
spore_version: 0.2
family: fluoropolymers
name: Crystalline polyvinyl fluoride with white pigment
abbreviation: PVF (white Tedlar)
role: biaxially oriented fluoropolymer film with titanium dioxide pigment, used as a weather-resistant outer layer
category: polymers
type: fluoropolymers
summary: White-pigmented Tedlar is DuPont's polyvinyl fluoride film, made of the repeat unit minus CH2-CHF. On the MISSE 2 flight its atomic oxygen erosion yield was 1.01e-25 cm3/atom, about 30 times lower than clear Tedlar at 3.19e-24 cm3/atom, because the titanium dioxide pigment shields the film. DuPont rates it for continuous use from -72 to 107 degC and says it resists weathering and most chemicals.
best_for: Protective outer films on solar arrays and aircraft interiors where weathering, UV stability and chemical resistance matter
weakest_at: Atomic oxygen erosion of thin films, which can peel at the edges, and the low tensile strength of the 1.5 and 2.0 mil white grades
identity:
  formula: (C2H3F)n, poly(vinyl fluoride), CAS 24981-14-4; the white grade adds titanium dioxide pigment
  cas: 24981-14-4
  source: wiki-pvf
  where: Infobox, Identifiers and Properties; repeat unit (C2H3F)n from the Chemical formula row
tags:
  environments:
    - low-earth-orbit
  stresses:
    - atomic-oxygen
    - uv
  applications:
    - solar-arrays
    - thermal-control
    - structures
properties:
  - benchmark: atomic_oxygen_erosion_yield
    label: Atomic oxygen erosion yield, white Tedlar, MISSE 2 flight
    value: 1.01e-25
    unit: cm3/atom
    scope: material
    conditions:
      environment: low Earth orbit, ISS MISSE 2 PEACE Polymers tray
      fluence: 8.43e21 atoms/cm2
      unit_in_source: cm3/atom
    method: Value printed in NASA Table I as the MISSE 2 erosion yield for the white-pigment PVF row
    status: flight
    source: nasa-ao-tool
    where: Table I, row Polyvinylfluoride with white pigment, column MISSE 2 erosion yield
  - benchmark: atomic_oxygen_erosion_yield
    label: Atomic oxygen erosion yield, clear Tedlar, MISSE 2 flight (comparison)
    value: 3.19e-24
    unit: cm3/atom
    scope: material
    conditions:
      environment: low Earth orbit, ISS MISSE 2 PEACE Polymers tray
      fluence: 8.43e21 atoms/cm2
      unit_in_source: cm3/atom
    method: Value printed in NASA Table I for clear PVF, with the text in section 2.2 comparing it with white Tedlar
    status: flight
    source: nasa-ao-tool
    where: Table I, row Polyvinyl fluoride, column MISSE 2 erosion yield; section 2.2 text
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, white Tedlar MISSE 2 sample (ref 12)
    value: 1.6241
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      sample: MISSE 2 PEACE Polymers film
    method: Density printed in NASA Table II, column Density, ref. 12 (density gradient column testing)
    status: ground
    source: nasa-ao-tool
    where: Table II, row Crystalline polyvinylfluoride with white pigment, Density column
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, DuPont Tedlar PVF films, typical range
    value: 1.37
    value_high: 1.72
    unit: g/cc
    scope: material
    conditions:
      test_standard: ASTM D-1505
      temperature: 22 degC (72 degF)
    method: Typical range printed in DuPont General Properties, Table 1, for all PVF film types
    status: ground
    source: dupont-tedlar-gp
    where: Table 1, row Density
  - benchmark: melting_point
    label: Melting point, PVF film
    value: 185
    value_high: 210
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: range quoted for the polymer; the commercial atactic film shows a peak at 190 °C
    method: Range printed in the Wikipedia PVF article, Properties section
    status: ground
    source: wiki-pvf
    where: Properties section, first paragraph
  - benchmark: glass_transition_temperature
    label: Lower glass transition, PVF
    value: -20
    value_high: -15
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      transition: lower
    method: Range printed in the Wikipedia PVF article as the lower Tg, written there as -15 to -20 °C
    status: ground
    source: wiki-pvf
    where: Properties section, sentence on transition phases
  - benchmark: glass_transition_temperature
    label: Upper glass transition, PVF
    value: 40
    value_high: 50
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      transition: upper
    method: Range printed in the Wikipedia PVF article as the upper Tg
    status: ground
    source: wiki-pvf
    where: Properties section, sentence on transition phases
  - benchmark: min_service_temp
    label: Continuous use, lower limit (Tedlar)
    value: -72
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: continuous use
    method: Value printed in DuPont General Properties, Thermal table, row Temperature Range
    status: ground
    source: dupont-tedlar-gp
    where: Thermal table, Temperature Range, Continuous Use (-72 to 107 °C)
  - benchmark: max_service_temp
    label: Continuous use, upper limit (Tedlar)
    value: 107
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: continuous use; short cycles or release up to 175 °C
    method: Value printed in DuPont General Properties, Thermal table, row Temperature Range
    status: ground
    source: dupont-tedlar-gp
    where: Thermal table, Temperature Range, Continuous Use (-72 to 107 °C)
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Ultimate tensile strength, min, TWH15BL3 (1.5 mil low gloss white)
    value: 55
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: TWH15BL3
      test_standard: ASTM D-882
      direction: MD
    method: Minimum value printed in DuPont General Properties, Table 2
    status: ground
    source: dupont-tedlar-gp
    where: Table 2, column TWH15BL3, row Ultimate Tensile Strength, Min. (MD)
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Ultimate tensile strength, min, TWH20BS3 (2.0 mil satin white)
    value: 62
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: TWH20BS3
      test_standard: ASTM D-882
      direction: MD
    method: Minimum value printed in DuPont General Properties, Table 2
    status: ground
    source: dupont-tedlar-gp
    where: Table 2, column TWH20BS3, row Ultimate Tensile Strength, Min. (MD)
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Ultimate elongation, min, TWH15BL3 (1.5 mil low gloss white)
    value: 90
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: TWH15BL3
      test_standard: ASTM D-882
      direction: MD
    method: Minimum value printed in DuPont General Properties, Table 2
    status: ground
    source: dupont-tedlar-gp
    where: Table 2, column TWH15BL3, row Ultimate Elongation, Min. (MD)
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Ultimate elongation, min, TWH20BS3 (2.0 mil satin white)
    value: 110
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: TWH20BS3
      test_standard: ASTM D-882
      direction: MD
    method: Minimum value printed in DuPont General Properties, Table 2
    status: ground
    source: dupont-tedlar-gp
    where: Table 2, column TWH20BS3, row Ultimate Elongation, Min. (MD)
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Tensile modulus (MD), TWH20BS3
    value: 2655
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: TWH20BS3
      test_standard: ASTM D-882
      direction: MD
    method: Value printed in DuPont General Properties, Table 2, MPa row (385 kpsi as printed alongside)
    status: ground
    source: dupont-tedlar-gp
    where: Table 2, column TWH20BS3, row Tensile Modulus (MD), MPa
  - benchmark: moisture_absorption
    label: Moisture absorption, water immersion
    value: 0.5
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      bound: less than 0.5 % for most types, printed as <0.5
      test_standard: water immersion, 22 degC (72 degF)
    method: Value printed in DuPont General Properties, Table 1, row Moisture Absorption
    status: ground
    source: dupont-tedlar-gp
    where: Table 1, row Moisture Absorption
  - benchmark: dielectric_constant
    label: Dielectric constant, TWH20BS3, 1 kHz
    value: 11
    unit: '-'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: TWH20BS3
      frequency: 1 Kc at 22 degC (72 degF) as printed
      test_standard: ASTM D-150
    method: Value printed in DuPont General Properties, Table 1, Electrical block
    status: ground
    source: dupont-tedlar-gp
    where: Table 1, Electrical block, row Dielectric Constant, column TWH20BS3
  - benchmark: dielectric_strength
    label: Dielectric strength, TWH20BS3
    value: 3.5
    unit: kV/mil
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: TWH20BS3
      test_standard: ASTM D-150
    method: Value printed in DuPont General Properties, Table 1, Electrical block
    status: ground
    source: dupont-tedlar-gp
    where: Table 1, Electrical block, row Dielectric Strength (kV/mil), column TWH20BS3
  - benchmark: refractive_index
    label: Refractive index, clear and white PVF
    value: 1.46
    unit: nD
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 30 degC (86 degF)
      test_standard: ASTM D-542, Abbe refractometer
    method: Value printed in DuPont General Properties, Table 1, Physical block
    status: ground
    source: dupont-tedlar-gp
    where: Table 1, Physical block, row Refractive Index
  - benchmark: specific_heat
    label: Specific heat, TWH20BS3
    value: 1.05
    unit: kJ/kg K
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: TWH20BS3
      method_printed: DuPont 990, thermal analyzer
    method: Value printed in DuPont General Properties, Table 2, kJ/kg K row
    status: ground
    source: dupont-tedlar-gp
    where: Table 2, column TWH20BS3, row Specific Heat, kJ/kg K
  - benchmark: cte
    label: Linear coefficient of expansion (MD), TWH20BS3
    value: 0.000097
    unit: m/mK
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: TWH20BS3
      direction: MD
      temperature: 50 to 70 degC
      test_standard: ASTM D-696
    method: Value printed in DuPont General Properties, Table 2, row Linear Coefficient of Expansion (MD)
    status: ground
    source: dupont-tedlar-gp
    where: Table 2, column TWH20BS3, row Linear Coefficient of Expansion (MD)
  - benchmark: crystallinity
    label: Crystallinity, PVF
    value: 20
    value_high: 60
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: depends on polymerization method and thermal history
    method: Range printed in the Wikipedia PVF article, Properties section; a secondary summary
    status: ground
    source: wiki-pvf
    where: Properties section, sentence on crystallinity
  - benchmark: hours_to_embrittlement_oven_aging
    label: Hours to embrittlement, aging in air (white grades)
    value: 3000
    unit: h
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 300 degF oven, as printed
    method: Value printed in DuPont General Properties, Table 2, row Aging in Air, Hours to embrittlement
    status: ground
    source: dupont-tedlar-gp
    where: Table 2, row Aging in Air, Hours to embrittlement
corrosion:
  - environment: Atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit, MISSE 2, about 4 years
    headline: White Tedlar eroded far less than clear Tedlar, because its titanium dioxide pigment shields the film.
    effect: Erosion yield of 1.01e-25 cm3/atom for white against 3.19e-24 cm3/atom for clear, as printed in NASA Table I.
    conditions:
      fluence: 8.43e21 atoms/cm2
    source: nasa-ao-tool
    where: Table I; section 2.2 text on the pigment shielding effect
    rating: unknown
  - environment: Thin films in atomic oxygen
    headline: Thin films can erode through and peel, which removes the protective ash layer.
    effect: NASA notes that thin polymers eroded faster at their perimeter and could peel up, so the ash covered the surface only partly.
    conditions:
      thickness: thin film
    source: nasa-ao-tool
    where: Discussion section, paragraph on ash protection
    rating: unknown
  - environment: Outdoor UV and weathering
    headline: Tedlar shows minimal colour change after repeated UV exposure in Florida.
    effect: DuPont reports a 15-year Florida exposure test in which Tedlar PVF film shows minimal colour change; the chart is not printed with numbers.
    conditions:
      exposure: 15-year exposure test in Florida
    source: dupont-tedlar-overview
    where: UV Durability section, Florida weathering chart
    rating: unknown
  - environment: Heat ageing in air
    headline: Film embrittles only after about 3000 hours in a 300 degF oven.
    effect: DuPont prints 3,000 hours to embrittlement for all four grades in air oven aging at 300 degF.
    conditions:
      temperature: 300 degF
    source: dupont-tedlar-gp
    where: Table 2, row Aging in Air
    rating: unknown
  - environment: Acids, bases and solvents at room temperature
    headline: PVF films resist acids, bases and common solvents at room temperature.
    effect: DuPont reports no visible effect after 1 year immersion in acids, bases or solvents at 25 degC; Wikipedia says PVF films resist acids, bases and aliphatic, aromatic and alcohol liquids at room temperature.
    conditions:
      temperature: 25 degC
      duration: 1 year immersion
    source: dupont-tedlar-gp
    where: Table 1, Chemical Resistance row
    rating: unknown
uses:
  - application: thermal-control
    device: Insulating bags on aircraft exterior walls and cargo spaces
    example: PVF film is applied to insulating bags containing glass fibre, used on exterior airplane walls, in cargo space and in air conditioning ducts.
    source: wiki-pvf
    where: Application section
  - application: solar-arrays
    device: Photovoltaic module backsheet
    example: The white-pigmented film is used on the bottom surface of photovoltaic cells, and the transparent film protects the top against moisture.
    source: wiki-pvf
    where: Application section
  - application: structures
    device: Commercial aircraft cabin interior walls and ceilings
    example: DuPont says Tedlar film is used extensively on cabin interior walls and ceilings of commercial aircraft, and is FAA and EASA certified for fire resistance.
    source: dupont-tedlar-overview
    where: Flame and Smoke section
risks:
  hazards:
    - text: The monomer, vinyl fluoride, is an extremely flammable gas, may explode if heated, is suspected of causing genetic defects and may cause cancer.
      ghs:
        - H220
        - H280
        - H341
        - H350
      source: pubchem-vinyl-fluoride
      where: GHS Classification, Hazard Statements for vinyl fluoride (CID 6339)
    - text: Above about 350 degC in air PVF loses hydrogen fluoride; HF is quickly absorbed into surrounding materials.
      ghs: []
      source: wiki-pvf
      where: Properties section, thermal stability sentence; Safety section
    - text: Some Tedlar formulations may contain heavy metal compounds, which can be present in dust from secondary operations such as sanding.
      ghs: []
      source: wiki-pvf
      where: Safety section
  failure_risks:
    - source: nasa-ao-tool
      where: Discussion section, paragraph on ash protection
      mode: Thin films can erode through in atomic oxygen and peel, which…
      consequence: Thin films can erode through in atomic oxygen and peel, which removes the protection of the pigment ash layer.
    - source: dupont-tedlar-gp
      where: Table 2, row Ultimate Tensile Strength, Min. (MD)
      mode: The 1.5 and 2.0 mil white grades have a minimum tensile strength of…
      consequence: The 1.5 and 2.0 mil white grades have a minimum tensile strength of 55 and 62 MPa, which is low for structural loads.
  side_effects:
    - text: After excessive exposure the fluoride content in urine increased, although PVF has not caused skin reactions or toxic effects.
      source: wiki-pvf
      where: Safety section
  handling:
    - text: Avoid making dust from sanding or cutting, and treat the film's pigment dust as possibly containing heavy metals.
      source: wiki-pvf
      where: Safety section
  mitigations:
    - text: Keep heating and processing below the temperature at which HF is lost in air, and keep it away from pigments and fillers that can react when overheated.
      source: wiki-pvf
      where: Properties section and Safety section
supply:
  - subject: Fluorspar (CaF2), the mineral feedstock for fluorine chemicals
    abundance: USGS reports that calcium fluoride is used to make anhydrous hydrogen fluoride and that acid-grade fluorspar is its leading use; PVF is made from vinyl fluoride, which is made from fluorine chemistry.
    producers:
      - country: China
        production: 6,000 thousand metric tons
        year: 2025
      - country: Mongolia
        production: 1,500 thousand metric tons
        year: 2025
      - country: Mexico
        production: 1,500 thousand metric tons
        year: 2025
      - country: South Africa
        production: 410 thousand metric tons
        year: 2025
      - country: Vietnam
        production: 160 thousand metric tons
        year: 2025
    source: usgs-fluorspar-2026
    where: World Mine Production and Reserves table, 2025 column; world total 10,000 thousand metric tons (rounded)
media: []
documents:
  - title: Atomic Oxygen Erosion Yield Predictive Tool for Spacecraft Polymers in Low Earth Orbit (NASA/TM-2008-215490)
    type: report
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20090011780/downloads/20090011780.pdf
    year: 2008
  - title: DuPont Tedlar PVF Films, General Properties
    type: datasheet
    url: https://polymerfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DuPont_Tedlar-General-Properties.pdf
    year: 2011
  - title: DuPont Tedlar PVF Films, General Properties brochure
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.metalcoffeeshop.com/uploads/media/2022/01/dupont™-tedlar®-polyvinyl-fluoride-(pvf)-films-brochure-3.pdf
    year: 2011
  - title: DuPont Tedlar products overview
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.metalcoffeeshop.com/uploads/media/2022/01/dupont-tedlar-products-overview.pdf
    year: 2022
  - title: 'Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Fluorspar (USGS)'
    type: report
    url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-fluorspar.pdf
    year: 2026
gaps:
  - No UV, radiation or thermal-cycling test value for white Tedlar was read in this run; the DuPont Florida chart and the QUV images have no printed numbers.
  - No PubChem record for PVF itself was read; the hazard codes are for the vinyl fluoride monomer (CID 6339).
  - No primary, peer-reviewed PVF ageing data were found; the 3000 hour embrittlement figure is a manufacturer value.
  - The DuPont SDS for Tedlar was not found; the Wikipedia safety paragraph is the only hazard text for the polymer.
  - Atomic weights of C, H and F are not sourced in this run, so recipe parts carry no atomic_weight field.
  - Titanium dioxide share in the white grade is not printed in any fetched source; the part has no share.
  - Erosion yield, hours_to_embrittlement_oven_aging and crystallinity use names that may not be in spores/property-canon.yaml; they are listed here as new names.
  - No critical-mineral listing for PVF or fluorspar in this run; fluorspar's critical status is not stated in the USGS page read.
  - The Goodfellow PVF page gives tensile and crystallinity figures that are secondary and were not used as properties; it is cited only for the description of the material.
sources:
  nasa-ao-tool:
    title: Atomic Oxygen Erosion Yield Predictive Tool for Spacecraft Polymers in Low Earth Orbit
    id: NASA/TM-2008-215490
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20090011780/downloads/20090011780.pdf
    year: 2008
    kind: report
    license: public domain (NASA)
  wiki-pvf:
    title: Polyvinyl fluoride (Wikipedia)
    id: Wikipedia, en
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinyl_fluoride
    year: 2026
    kind: web
    license: CC BY-SA 4.0
  pubchem-vinyl-fluoride:
    title: Vinyl fluoride, PubChem CID 6339 (GHS classification)
    id: PubChem CID 6339
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/6339
    year: 2026
    kind: database
    license: public domain (NIH PubChem)
  dupont-tedlar-gp:
    title: DuPont Tedlar PVF Films, General Properties
    id: DuPont Tedlar general properties, copyright 2011
    url: https://polymerfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DuPont_Tedlar-General-Properties.pdf
    year: 2011
    kind: datasheet
    license: cited, not reproduced
  dupont-tedlar-brochure:
    title: DuPont Tedlar PVF Films, General Properties brochure
    id: DuPont Tedlar brochure, copyright 2011
    url: https://www.metalcoffeeshop.com/uploads/media/2022/01/dupont™-tedlar®-polyvinyl-fluoride-(pvf)-films-brochure-3.pdf
    year: 2011
    kind: datasheet
    license: cited, not reproduced
  dupont-tedlar-overview:
    title: DuPont Tedlar products overview
    id: DuPont Tedlar overview
    url: https://www.metalcoffeeshop.com/uploads/media/2022/01/dupont-tedlar-products-overview.pdf
    year: 2022
    kind: datasheet
    license: cited, not reproduced
  usgs-fluorspar-2026:
    title: 'Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Fluorspar (U.S. Geological Survey)'
    id: USGS MCS 2026, February 2026
    url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-fluorspar.pdf
    year: 2026
    kind: report
    license: public domain (USGS)
  goodfellow-pvf:
    title: Polyvinylfluoride Film, Material Information (Goodfellow)
    id: Goodfellow PVF film material information
    url: https://www.goodfellow.com/usa/resources/polyvinylfluoride-film-material-information/
    year: 2024
    kind: datasheet
    license: cited, not reproduced
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: 2026-10-20T00:00:00.000Z
review:
  status: draft
  method: assistant
  checked_values: 22
  unreachable: 1
  caveats: 2
  note: 'Written from pages fetched in this run: 22 property values, 8 sources. The Tedlar SDS was not found; the ChemicalBook PVF SDS returned an empty page.'
story:
  recipe:
    line: PVF is a linear polymer of vinyl fluoride, -(CH2-CHF)n-. Vinyl fluoride is polymerised in aqueous suspension or emulsion under high pressure with a peroxide initiator, and the resin is then dissolved in a polar solvent, cast and biaxially oriented into thin film. The white grade adds titanium dioxide pigment during processing.
    parts:
      - name: Vinyl fluoride
        monomer: C2H3F
        role: Repeat unit of the polymer; the C-F bond and the chain give the thermal stability and chemical resistance.
      - name: Titanium dioxide
        role: White pigment that shields the film from atomic oxygen; NASA ties the very different erosion yields of clear and white Tedlar to it.
  risk_groups:
    - title: Workers who polymerise or handle vinyl fluoride, which is an…
    - title: Workers who sand or cut white Tedlar, because the pigment dust may…
    - title: Anyone handling PVF that has been heated above about 350 degC, which…
  why: PVF is a semi-crystalline fluoropolymer that DuPont sells as Tedlar. On the MISSE 2 flight the white grade eroded at 1.01e-25 cm3/atom, far below the 3.19e-24 cm3/atom of clear Tedlar, so the pigment is what protects it in low Earth orbit.
  uses:
    - where: Use
      line: Insulating bags on aircraft exterior walls, and cabin interior wall and ceiling films.
    - where: Use
      line: Protective backsheets for photovoltaic modules, where the white film sits on the bottom surface.
    - where: Use
      line: Decorative and protective coatings, and release films for high-temperature resin processing.
  can_do:
    - label: Strength
      line: White Tedlar resists weathering and UV, stays flexible from -72 degC to 107 degC in continuous use, and resists acids, bases and most solvents. Its density is 1.37 to 1.72 g/cc and its dielectric constant is 11 for the 2.0 mil satin white grade.
  compare: In the MISSE 2 table white Tedlar eroded at 1.01e-25 cm3/atom against 3.19e-24 cm3/atom for clear Tedlar, so the pigment cuts erosion by about a factor of thirty. Its melting point of 185 to 210 degC is modest, and its tensile strength of 55 to 62 MPa is low for a structural polymer.
  compare_rows:
    - label: Melting point
      benchmark: melting_point
    - label: Ultimate tensile strength
      benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    - label: Atomic oxygen erosion yield
      benchmark: atomic_oxygen_erosion_yield
  handling:
    - Ventilate cutting, sanding and heating areas, and wear PPE for dust. Keep heated PVF below the temperature at which hydrogen fluoride is lost in air (about 350 degC). Keep vinyl fluoride monomer, a flammable gas, away from ignition.
  good_for:
    - Outer films on solar arrays and aircraft interiors where weathering and atomic oxygen protection matter, and thin protective layers over less durable materials.
  watch_out:
    - Thin white film can erode and peel under atomic oxygen, and the 1.5 and 2.0 mil grades have a tensile strength of only 55 to 62 MPa. Overheating releases hydrogen fluoride.
  verdict: White Tedlar is a practical, weather-resistant fluoropolymer film with strong atomic oxygen protection from its pigment. It is best used as a thin, supported outer layer rather than a structural part, and it needs a fuller ageing and radiation data set before a long mission design relies on it.