What is the difference between PVDF and FEVE fluorocarbon coatings on the surface of aluminum plates

Views:17 Author:Site Editor Publish Time:2026-10-21 14:59:15 Orgin:Site

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PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) and FEVE (fluoroalkene vinyl ether copolymer) both belong to the category of fluorocarbon coatings (fluorocarbon resins) due to the strong polarity of C-F bonds in their molecular structures, which possess excellent weather resistance, chemical corrosion resistance, and low surface energy. The core differences between the two lie in resin morphology, film-forming mechanism, core advantages, and applicable scenarios.

1、 PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride fluorocarbon coating)

·Basic characteristics

PVDF is a thermoplastic resin with regular molecular chains, high fluorine content, strong crystallization tendency, strong chemical inertness, and excellent weather resistance.

·Film formation method

High temperature baking to form a film usually requires high-temperature melting and cooling at 230 ° C-250 ° C, and cannot naturally solidify at room temperature.

·Paint film performance

。The paint film is dense, but brittle, with poor flexibility, and prone to cracking when the substrate is bent; Relatively low hardness, surface prone to dust adhesion; Unable to perform on-site partial repairs, damages require full surface re spraying and roller coating.

▲Changes in color, glossiness, and pulverization degree during PVDF exposure testing

·Core advantages

·Color retention, light retention, and anti powdering are the grades of fluorocarbon ceilings in buildings. They have been mature for over 50 years and comply with AAMA2605, with a long outdoor service life;

·Stable performance in areas with salt spray resistance, acid rain resistance, industrial corrosion resistance, high salt spray along the coast, and strong ultraviolet radiation;

·Low surface energy, good self-cleaning, minimal long-term color difference variation, and strong reliability of conventional solid colors;

·Aluminum veneer and aluminum coil pre coated curtain wall are the most commonly used in the industry.

·Shortcomings

·Resin crystallization, poor compatibility with organic pigments, priority for adaptation to inorganic weather resistant pigments;

·Natural suitable for matte/low gloss (15-40 ° gloss), making high gloss, bright colors, pearl, metallic fantasy；

·Color and gradient colors are difficult and risky, and are prone to fogging and fading;

·Unable to carry out on-site construction, difficult to repair damages, and not suitable for large items or on-site refurbished components.

▲The trading market of Zhoushan National Offshore Fishery Base is located about one kilometer away from the coast of Zhoushan Port. The coastal area is exposed to strong ultraviolet radiation and high salt spray corrosion environment, and PVDF coating has better durability.

·Applicable scenarios:

High end building curtain walls, aluminum panels, and aluminum profiles with extremely high long-term color retention requirements, as well as harsh coastal/chemical heavy corrosion environments.

·High rise and super high-rise commercial curtain walls, landmark buildings, government public buildings, airport stations and other projects with a durability requirement of 20 years or more;

·Coastal cities, industrial areas, strong ultraviolet exposure, and high salt spray corrosion environments;

·Standard low gloss exterior wall colors such as gray, white, light beige, dark gray, and deep blue;

·Roll coated aluminum coils, aluminum honeycomb panels, metal roofs, batch standardized curtain wall panels;

·Owners and design institutes prioritize long-term quality assurance, low maintenance, and minimizing color difference risks.

2、 FEVE (Fluoroalkene Vinyl Ether Fluorocarbon Coating)

·Basic characteristics

FEVE is a thermosetting resin that introduces polar groups (such as hydroxyl groups) through copolymerization, with a relatively moderate fluorine content and excellent weather resistance and flexibility.

▲Harwyn Pod prefabricated house adopts aluminum composite material as the enclosure, and its surface is FEVE iridescent effect

·Film formation method

Chemical cross-linking curing, which involves a chemical reaction with curing agents such as isocyanates at room temperature to form a film, or low-temperature baking curing. After curing, a three-dimensional network like paint film is formed, which is permanently non melting and insoluble.

·Paint film performance

Excellent flexibility, able to adapt to the thermal expansion and contraction of steel, and less prone to peeling and cracking; High hardness, wear-resistant and scratch resistant; High glossiness (adjustable from 10-90 °, can be used for highlights); Partial repair and repainting can be carried out on site.

·Core advantages

The resin has high transparency and excellent pigment inclusiveness. Organic/inorganic pigments, pearlescent pigments, aluminum powder, and interference iridescent pigments can all be well dispersed;

·Full coverage of gloss range: Fully matte, medium gloss, and high gloss 70-85, it is the preferred fluorocarbon for aluminum plates with bright surfaces and high saturation bright colors, such as bright red, bright blue, bright yellow, gradient, pearl, etc;

·Higher coating hardness;

Not limited to aluminum plates: can be used for steel structures, concrete, local on-site paint repair, and irregular oversized components.

·Shortcomings

·Long term extreme weather resistance is slightly weaker than 70% PVDF, and long-term light retention, especially low light conventional colors, is not as stable as PVDF;

·The unit price of the same grade is usually higher than PVDF, and there are more imitations/low fluorine adulterations in the market. It is necessary to verify the resin brand and fluorine content;

·The pure FEVE system is prone to yellowing when baked at high temperatures of 230 ° C and cannot be used with PVDF oven technology.

▲Residential S51/53 adopts aluminum composite material as the enclosure for the residential facade, and its surface has FEVE high gloss effect

·Applicable scenarios

FEVE prioritizes scene selection, with core values in color/gloss/construction flexibility.

·The design clearly requires high gloss, bright red/bright blue/bright yellow and other highly saturated bright colors, pearl like, metallic shimmer, iridescent gradient, and special interference color aluminum plates;

·Artistic facades, exhibition buildings, venues, commercial facades, and modeling sections that require visual impact;

·Renovation of old aluminum curtain walls, on-site repairs, partial color changes after installation, and oversized irregular components that cannot enter the oven;

·Aluminum plate+steel structure/concrete mixed project, unified paint system;

·Indoor public spaces, semi outdoor, with sufficient weather resistance for 15-20 years, and higher decoration priority.

3、 Choose PVDF or FEVE, four questions determine the route

Both belong to fluorocarbon and are far superior to ordinary polyester PE powder coating. It is not absolute who can replace each other. Simply put, PVDF is preferred for durability and FEVE is preferred for color decoration. There is no absolute superiority or inferiority between the two, and the selection needs to be based on the characteristics of the substrate, construction conditions, and project requirements.

▲ Schematic diagram of PVDF and FEVE structural routes

▲Comparison Table of PVDF and FEVE Selection

Firstly, can the substrate enter the factory coating line?

The PVDF route has discussion value as it can be fed into the production line, baked, and its size and batch size are suitable for factory control. Typical scenarios include aluminum plates, aluminum profiles, and coil pre coated metal plates.

Secondly, is the project being constructed on-site?

Steel structures, bridges, renovation of old buildings, and exterior surfaces of large equipment are usually unable to enter the oven as a whole. This type of scenario should focus on FEVE or other high weather resistant systems that can be cured on-site.

Thirdly, what should the specification book control?

If the goal is to maintain long-term color and gloss of building metal panels, attention should be paid to standard grades, film thickness, baking conditions, resin ratios, and supplier systems. If the goal is on-site maintenance cycle, attention should be paid to surface treatment level, matching primer, interlayer adhesion, recoating windows, and actual exposure environment.

Fourthly, who will be responsible for maintenance in the later stage?

The advantage of "factory pre coated board" is stable quality, but on-site local repairs need to consider color difference and process consistency. The advantage of FEVE is stronger on-site maintainability, but it is equally sensitive to construction control, supporting systems, and curing conditions.