Why Tedlar® Is a Superior Option for the Medical Industry
Robert F. Davis reports in his publication that when Tedlar® polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) films first entered the 
market in 1958, it was known as “R” film, and then later Teslar PVF film. Its early uses were mainly for circuit board markets in a clear film form, then later pigmented versions of film were used for roofing and building siding applications. It was during this time, in 1961, that the name was changed to Tedlar®.
Production of the film increased, and its applications included:
- Clear release films for aircraft parts and printed circuit boards
- House and industrial siding
- Aircraft interiors (with the Boeing 727 being the first airplane to use Tedlar® in 1963)
Tedlar® polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) film is a biaxially-oriented, highly functional, stable film that provides long-lasting finish. This high-performance material is sought after extensively for a wide variety of industrial market surfaces and has been a reliable film option for over 50 years.
The Medical Industry
The medical industry has long been utilizing Tedlar® coating for hospital and medical buildings. According to
Dupont’s website, Tedlar® is durable, stain resistant, and can withstand chemicals like bleach during cleaning processes, making it reliable for long-term use on anything from walls, ceilings, floors, storage units, and duct work in hospital and other medical settings.
Tedlar® offers long-lived gloss retention creating easy-to-clean surfaces. The surface does not support the growth of mold and mildew, making it the safe choice for these applications. Due to its inert and non-stick properties, Tedlar® is an excellent release film when processing parts under high temperature and pressure, and has the ability to handle exposure to harsh environments.
With the increased requirements for cleanliness in hospital environments during the COVID-19 outbreak, and short-term hospital structures being built to accommodate higher-than-normal numbers of patients, Tedlar® PVF film provides surface protection to materials that are constantly being cleaned in long- or short-term structures.
Other characteristics of Tedlar® demonstrate its versatile applications:
- As a result of superior UV absorption, Tedlar® keeps the integrity, color, and brilliance of exterior surface graphics intact.
- Tedlar® is certified for incidental food contact by the FDA, making it an excellent protectant for wall surfaces in food service areas.
- Among other properties, its lightweight, flexible, and low flammability characteristics make it great fit for the aerospace industry. Tedlar® PVF film is conformable and can be embossed and printed, making it a versatile material for use in passenger areas in airplanes.
Distribution
American Durafilm® Co., Inc. is now a stocking distributor for the types of DuPont™ Tedlar® PVF film listed below:
- TST20SG4 (gas sample bags, which can be heat sealed)
- TGY85SL2 (HVAC duct work)
- TWH10BS3, TGY20BE3, TWH20BS3, TTR10BG3, TCW20BE5 (aircraft interiors)
We stock Tedlar® PVF film at 64” wide and offer slitting to any custom dimension and rewinding down to .375” in width. These films are available in gray, white, and clear.
Tedlar® PVF film also comes with different surface characteristics—allowing for one-sided or two-sided adherence for bonding to a wide variety of substrates and is compatible with many classes of adhesives, including polyester, epoxies, rubbers, and pressure-sensitive mastic. See the Tedlar® webpage for more info about applications, the types/data, and grades available.
Fabrication Capabilities
Our experienced team at American Durafilm® Co., Inc. offers extensive knowledge of available materials and processes for viable solutions across many markets and industries. Our staff work closely with scientists, engineers, and designers to create new and innovative fabrication techniques to meet the most stringent specifications and designs. We have extensive experience in heat sealing, thermoforming, die cutting, sheeting, cylinder manufacture, and laminates. Our clean room allows us to provide products of the highest quality, while paying the greatest attention to the environment under which these critical components are manufactured.
We’re happy to answer any film and fabrication questions you have. Contact us to get the conversation started.
Click here for more information on Tedlar® film.
