Fluorinated ethylene propylene, or FEP, was developed in 1956 as a melt processable fluoropolymer alternative to PTFE. FEP can be extruded in long continuous lengths and has several distinct advantages over PTFE. Applications where FEP is chosen are typically those requiring greater optical clarity and flexibility.

FEP heat shrink has a lower recovery temperature than PTFE and meets 23053/11 Mil Spec guidelines. As convoluted tubing, FEP meets 81914 Mil Spec certification. FEP has low gas and permeability properties and possesses excellent UV transmission rating. FEP is also suitable for use in a biomedical setting and is gamma sterilizable.

All of these attributes and more make FEP ideal for a diverse range of applications from environmental monitoring equipment to medical devices and electronics. Because it is a thermoplastic, FEP is also easily heat formed, tipped, tapered, flared, and flanged.

Zeus offers a wide range of standard size products and precision custom extruded tubing made from fluoropolymers and advanced materials. We manufacture FEP in a wide variety of custom and stock sizes, such as extruded tubing, heat shrink, lay-flat, custom profiles, and multi-lumen tubing. Zeus also offers etching for bonding of these products to other materials including other plastics.

Biocompatible – Zeus FEP is non-toxic and USP Class VI approved making it perfectly suited to biomedical and laboratory use.

Chemically Resistant – FEP is unreactive towards almost all commonly encountered solvents including acids, bases, or hydrocarbons.

Excellent UV Transmission Rating – FEP’s UV rating means that this tubing can stand up to UV exposure and not degrade or breakdown. The ability of FEP to withstand this type of UV exposure means that it can be used under sterilizing UV light.

Flame Resistant – FEP tubing is safe to use at elevated temperatures, resists burning, and is UL 94 V-0 compliant.

High Dielectric Strength – FEP possesses exceptional dielectric strength and thus doubles as insulating material when used with electrical components.

High Working Temperature – FEP has a maximum service temperature of 400 °F (204 °C).

Low Absorption Of Solvents – Consistent with FEP’s inert chemical nature, FEP has extremely low absorption of solvents (<1 %).

Many Preferred Traits Over PTFE – FEP’s lower heat shrink temperature (420 ± 50 °F / 215 ± 10 °C) means that it can be used over components that may not be able to withstand the higher heat shrink temperature of PTFE (650 ± 25 °F / 340 ± 5 °C). FEP heat shrink has a lower gas and vapor permeability than PTFE and is less expensive. FEP is also more flexible than PTFE and has greater optical clarity.

Melt Weldable And Thermoformable – In heat shrink form, our FEP is fully weldable when heat is applied and is thermoformable.

More Lubricious Than PFA – FEP has a lower coefficient of friction that PFA resulting in a highly smooth and non-stick surface.

Sterilizable – FEP’s temperature tolerance and physical properties allow it to easily tolerate gamma, ETO, e-beam, and autoclave sterilization protocols.