Electro Plating, High-Purity Solvents

Perfluorotributylamine (FT 43)

Perfluorotributylamine (PFTBA) is a high-performance perfluorinated liquid recognized for its exceptional chemical stability and thermal resistance. As a fully fluorinated tertiary amine, it represents a class of inert fluids utilized extensively across high-precision industrial and scientific sectors. This clear, colorless, and odorless substance is characterized by its high density and low viscosity, making it an ideal candidate for specialized heat transfer applications. Due to its unique dielectric properties, PFTBA serves as a crucial component in electronic testing and calibration processes, notably in mass spectrometry as a primary tuning standard. Furthermore, its biological inertness and high oxygen-carrying capacity have historically facilitated research in blood substitutes and liquid ventilation. Despite its utility, its significant global warming potential necessitates careful handling and containment within closed systems. Its synthesis involves the electrochemical fluorination of tributylamine, resulting in a molecule where all hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorine, conferring remarkable resistance to oxidation and corrosive environments.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

Exceptional chemical inertness due to strong carbon-fluorine bonds.
High thermal stability allows for performance at elevated temperatures.
Outstanding dielectric strength for insulating sensitive electronic components.
Non-flammable and non-toxic profile ensures safer handling conditions.
Low surface tension promotes efficient wetting of various surfaces.
High gas solubility, specifically for oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Very low pour point enables reliable operation in cryogenic environments.
Immiscibility with water and many organic solvents facilitates separation.
Minimal moisture absorption preserves consistent dielectric performance over time.
Non-corrosive nature protects equipment and prolongs component service life.
Optically transparent in the visible and ultraviolet spectral ranges.
High density values.

Specifications

Technical Highlights

Boiling point approximately 178 degrees Celsius at atmospheric pressure.
Molecular weight of 671 grams per mole for PFTBA.
Density of 1.88 grams per milliliter at room temperature.
Dielectric constant of 1.9 ensures excellent electrical insulation properties.
Vapor pressure remains consistently low across wide temperature ranges.
Viscosity measures roughly 2.6 centistokes at twenty-five degrees Celsius.
Refractive index is approximately 1.29 at standard testing conditions.
Critical temperature is estimated near 343 degrees Celsius for engineering.
Highly resistant to strong acids, bases, and oxidizing agents.
Solubility in most organic solvents is extremely limited or nonexistent.
Surface tension is sixteen dynes per centimeter exactly.

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

Primary calibration standard for mass spectrometry and gas chromatography.
Effective heat transfer fluid for immersion cooling of electronics.
Dielectric fluid used in high-voltage transformers and power supplies.
Specialized lubricant for precision instruments in aerospace and defense.
Thermal testing medium for leak detection in semiconductor manufacturing.
Oxygen carrier in biomedical research for liquid ventilation studies.
Solvent-free cleaning agent for delicate electronic and optical components.
Reaction medium for highly reactive or corrosive chemical syntheses.
Insulating medium for sensitive radar and microwave communication equipment.
Floatation liquid for density-based separation in mineralogical and gemological analysis.
Used for flow visualization in aerodynamic research conducted annually.