PFOA, an acronym for perfluorooctanoic acid, is an essential polymerization aid for making fluoropolymers. Technically, PFOA is a surfactant, a water-soluble chemical that can emulsify oils or liquids in water, suspend small particles in water or act as a wetting agent. APFO is the ammonium salt of PFOA and the chemical form used in fluoropolymer manufacturing. Within the fluoropolymer industry, APFO is sometimes referred to as C-8, referring to the number of carbon atoms in its molecular structure. To avoid confusion, the single term PFOA is used throughout these documents.

PFOA is chiefly used to help make high-performance materials known as fluoroelastomers and fluoropolymers.

Fluoroelastomers are synthetic, rubber-like materials used in gaskets, O-rings and hoses. Their unique properties make these products ideal for high-performance aerospace and automotive applications or environments that are extremely harsh and challenging.

Fluoropolymers are a “super-plastic,”unique in the high level of performance they provide. Some types of fluoropolymers can withstand a wide range of high temperatures, from baking ovens to the engine compartments of jet aircraft. Others are extremely flame-resistant and anti-corrosive, and some have important non-stick properties.

About 95 percent of fluoropolymers are used in industrial applications where peak performance is critical, including defense and aerospace, automotive, electronics and semiconductors, telecommunications, chemical processing and power generation. In automobiles, for example, fluoropolymers contribute to car safety, fuel efficiency and pollution control. They are used in gear lubrication, power steering assemblies, brake assemblies, seatbelt guides and windshield wiper blades.

The PFOA used to help make fluoropolymers is largely removed during the final steps of polymer production and by the high-temperature processing used when most fluoropolymers are made into finished products. PFOA is not intended to be part of the end-product.

More information about the numerous applications of PFOA can be found here.