PVDF welding rod is used by thermoplastic fabricators when joining compatible PVDF materials. PVDF is valued for its chemical resistance, purity, weatherability and performance in demanding industrial environments.
What Is PVDF?
PVDF stands for polyvinylidene fluoride. It is a fluoropolymer thermoplastic used in applications where the properties of more common plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene or PVC may not meet the requirements of the service environment.
PVDF is used in industries and applications such as:
- Chemical processing
- High-purity fluid handling
- Semiconductor manufacturing
- Pharmaceutical processing
- Water treatment
- Industrial tanks
- Process piping
- Corrosion-resistant equipment
- Laboratory equipment
- Specialty thermoplastic fabrication
What Is PVDF Welding Rod?
PVDF welding rod is filler material manufactured from PVDF resin for use in compatible thermoplastic welding applications.
During welding, controlled heat brings the surfaces of the parent PVDF material and filler rod into an appropriate welding condition. The materials are joined under controlled pressure and allowed to cool.
PVDF welding rod may be searched for or described as:
- PVDF welding rod
- PVDF plastic welding rod
- PVDF filler rod
- PVDF welding wire
- polyvinylidene fluoride welding rod
- fluoropolymer welding rod
- plastic welding rod for PVDF
- Kynar welding rod
PVDF and Kynar Welding Rod
The terms PVDF welding rod and Kynar welding rod are sometimes used in the same conversation, but they are not technically identical terms.
PVDF describes the polymer family. Kynar is a trademark associated with specific PVDF resin products.
When a drawing, specification or customer requirement identifies a specific branded resin or PVDF grade, filler material should be selected with that requirement in mind.
Why Is PVDF Used in Industrial Fabrication?
Chemical Resistance
PVDF is selected for many applications involving aggressive chemicals and corrosive environments.
High-Purity Applications
Appropriate PVDF grades are used in demanding high-purity fluid handling and processing systems.
Weather Resistance
PVDF offers strong resistance to outdoor weathering and UV exposure compared with many common thermoplastics.
Industrial Fabrication
PVDF sheet and components can be fabricated into specialized tanks, process equipment and other structures.
Process Equipment
PVDF is used in equipment where chemical exposure and service requirements demand a high-performance thermoplastic.
Specialty Applications
Different PVDF grades are available for particular mechanical, chemical and processing requirements.
PVDF Welding Rod Sizes
PVDF welding rod can be produced in different diameters and profiles depending on the welding process, joint geometry and fabrication requirements.
| Rod Profile | Common Size | General Use |
|---|---|---|
| Round | 3 mm | Smaller weld joints and detail fabrication |
| Round | 4 mm | General thermoplastic welding applications |
| Round | 5 mm | Larger joints requiring additional filler material |
| Specialty Profile | Application specific | OEM and specialized fabrication requirements |
For additional information visit our Plastic Welding Rod Sizes Guide.
Round PVDF Welding Rod
Round PVDF welding rod is a common filler profile for thermoplastic welding. Depending on the equipment and procedure, round rod can be hand-fed or used with an appropriate speed welding nozzle.
The rod diameter should match the welding nozzle and joint configuration.
How to Choose PVDF Welding Rod
PVDF is often used in applications where material specifications are important. Selecting filler material should therefore begin with the requirements of the base material and finished equipment.
Consider:
- PVDF resin grade
- Manufacturer specification when known
- Homopolymer or other PVDF formulation
- Purity requirements
- Chemical service
- Operating environment
- Color requirements
- Rod diameter
- Rod profile
- Welding process
- Finished-part specifications
PVDF vs. Polypropylene Welding Rod
PVDF and polypropylene are both thermoplastics used in chemical and industrial fabrication, but they are different polymer families.
If the parent material is polypropylene, use appropriate polypropylene welding rod. If it is PVDF, select filler material compatible with the PVDF grade and application.
PVDF vs. HDPE Welding Rod
HDPE is a polyethylene thermoplastic, while PVDF is a fluoropolymer. They have different physical, chemical and processing characteristics.
For HDPE fabrication see our HDPE Welding Rod Guide.
PVDF vs. PVC Welding Rod
PVDF and PVC are also different polymer systems. Although both are used in corrosion-resistant fabrication, filler rod must be matched to the actual parent material.
For PVC applications see our PVC Welding Rod Guide.
How to Weld PVDF With Welding Rod
1. Confirm the Material
Verify that the base material is PVDF and identify the grade or specification whenever possible.
2. Select Compatible PVDF Welding Rod
Choose filler material appropriate for the parent PVDF and the finished application's requirements.
3. Maintain Cleanliness
Cleanliness is particularly important in high-purity and chemical-processing fabrication. Avoid contaminating the prepared surfaces or welding rod.
4. Prepare the Joint
Prepare the required joint geometry according to material thickness, weld configuration and fabrication procedure.
5. Select the Welding Equipment
Choose suitable hot gas, hot air, speed welding or extrusion welding equipment for the application.
6. Establish Welding Conditions
Set appropriate heat, gas or airflow and allow the equipment to stabilize before beginning production welding.
7. Heat the Weld Interface
The surfaces of both the PVDF base material and filler rod must reach the appropriate welding condition at the interface.
8. Apply Controlled Pressure
Feed the filler material into the prepared joint using consistent pressure and travel speed.
9. Allow the Joint to Cool
Avoid unnecessary loading of the welded area while the thermoplastic is still hot.
10. Inspect the Weld
Inspect the completed weld according to the fabrication requirements and applicable quality procedures.
Hot Air and Hot Gas Welding PVDF
PVDF can be welded using controlled heated gas with compatible filler rod and appropriate equipment.
The welding process must heat the surfaces at the joint sufficiently for fusion while avoiding unnecessary thermal damage.
Important variables include:
- PVDF grade
- Gas or air quality where applicable
- Temperature
- Flow rate
- Nozzle design
- Rod diameter
- Travel speed
- Welding pressure
Read our Hot Air Plastic Welding Guide for more information about thermoplastic welding principles.
Extrusion Welding PVDF
Extrusion welding can be used for suitable heavier PVDF fabrication where a larger volume of filler material is required.
An extrusion welder plasticizes compatible filler material and deposits it into the prepared joint.
Because PVDF is frequently used in demanding service environments, material compatibility, equipment cleanliness and welding procedures can be especially important.
See our Extrusion Welding Guide.
PVDF Welding Temperature
There is no single universal temperature setting for every PVDF welding application.
Appropriate conditions depend on:
- PVDF grade
- Welding equipment
- Hot air or hot gas process
- Flow rate
- Nozzle design
- Rod diameter
- Material thickness
- Travel speed
- Fabrication procedure
A displayed welding-tool temperature should therefore be treated as one process variable rather than proof that the weld interface has reached the correct condition.
See our Plastic Welding Temperature Chart.
Why PVDF Welding Rod May Not Fuse Properly
Poor fusion can result from:
- Incorrect material identification
- Incompatible PVDF grade
- Contaminated filler rod
- Contaminated parent material
- Poor joint preparation
- Insufficient heat
- Excessive heat
- Incorrect gas or airflow
- Travel speed that is too fast
- Insufficient welding pressure
- Improper welding technique
See Plastic Welding Troubleshooting for additional information.
PVDF Welding Rod for Chemical-Resistant Fabrication
One of the principal reasons fabricators select PVDF is its performance in demanding chemical environments.
Applications can include fabricated tanks, process equipment, ventilation components, piping systems and other equipment exposed to aggressive service conditions.
Material selection for chemical service should consider the specific chemical, concentration, temperature, mechanical loading and manufacturer recommendations rather than assuming PVDF is suitable for every chemical environment.
PVDF Welding Rod for High-Purity Applications
Certain PVDF grades are used in high-purity processing systems where material cleanliness and contamination control are important.
For these applications, resin selection, filler material, handling, storage, surface preparation, welding equipment and fabrication procedures may all be subject to specific requirements.
Custom PVDF Welding Rod
Industrial fabricators, distributors and OEM customers may require PVDF welding rod manufactured to specific production requirements.
Custom manufacturing options can include:
- Specific PVDF resin grades
- Natural PVDF welding rod
- Custom colors where appropriate
- 3 mm round rod
- 4 mm round rod
- 5 mm round rod
- Specialty profiles
- Spool packaging
- Bulk packaging
- OEM production
- Distributor programs
- Private labeling
Learn more at Custom Plastic Welding Rod.
PVDF Welding Rod Manufacturer
HotAirWelder.com is operated by New Image Plastics Manufacturing, a U.S. thermoplastic extrusion manufacturer with decades of extrusion experience.
New Image Plastics manufactures PVDF welding rod along with polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, PETG, ABS, TPU and other thermoplastic welding rod materials.
Production capabilities include round welding rod, specialty profiles, custom colors where appropriate, spool packaging and private-label or OEM production.
For manufacturer-direct welding rod information visit PlasticWeldingRod.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About PVDF Welding Rod
What is PVDF welding rod?
PVDF welding rod is thermoplastic filler material used for joining compatible polyvinylidene fluoride materials during plastic welding.
Can PVDF be welded?
Yes. Compatible PVDF materials can be joined using appropriate thermoplastic welding procedures such as hot gas or hot air welding and extrusion welding.
Is Kynar the same as PVDF?
PVDF is the polymer category. Kynar is a trademark associated with specific PVDF resin products. When a specification requires a particular resin grade, filler material should be selected accordingly.
Can polypropylene welding rod be used on PVDF?
No assumption of interchangeability should be made. PP and PVDF are different polymer families, and filler material should be selected for compatibility with the parent plastic.
What size PVDF welding rod is available?
Common round welding rod diameters can include 3 mm, 4 mm and 5 mm. Other dimensions and specialty profiles may be manufactured for particular applications.
Can PVDF welding rod be supplied on spools?
Yes. Round PVDF welding rod can be supplied on spools for convenient handling, storage and use during thermoplastic welding.
Is PVDF welding rod used for chemical tanks?
PVDF is used in suitable chemical-processing and corrosion-resistant fabrication applications. Actual material suitability depends on the specific chemical environment, temperature and design requirements.
Related Plastic Welding Guides
- Plastic Welding Rod
- Plastic Welding
- HDPE Welding Rod
- Polyethylene Welding Rod
- Polypropylene Welding Rod
- PVC Welding Rod
- Plastic Welding Rod Sizes
- Plastic Welding Temperature Chart
- Hot Air Plastic Welding
- Extrusion Welding
- Plastic Welding Tools
- Plastic Welding Troubleshooting
Need PVDF Welding Rod?
New Image Plastics Manufacturing produces PVDF welding rod for industrial thermoplastic fabricators, distributors and OEM applications.
Round rod, specialty profiles, spool packaging and custom manufacturing programs are available depending on material and production requirements.
Phone: 330-854-3010
Email:
newimageplastics@sbcglobal.net