What are PFAS? Understanding PFAS in Swagelok Products.
What are PFAS? PFAS regulations? PFAS alternatives? In this Ask Swagelok video, we answer your top questions about PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), including what they are, why they matter, and how they impact industrial products. Join Matt Ferraro, Product Manager, and Marcy McQuary, Principal Materials Engineer at Swagelok, as they discuss the thousands of fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS, their commercial uses, and the regulatory scrutiny surrounding them. Find out how major fluoropolymer manufacturers are responding to PFAS regulations, including responsible manufacturing processes and efforts to eliminate hazardous fluorosurfactants. If you have questions about PFAS in Swagelok products or need help selecting the best solution for your application, contact your local Swagelok sales and service center or visit swagelok.com. Watch now to get expert insights and practical advice on navigating PFAS concerns in your industry.
Video Transcript
MATT FERRARO:
Have you ever wondered what PFAS are or what products contain them? Then join us for this Ask Swagelok video. My name is Matt Ferraro, Product Manager, and I'm here with Marcy McQuary, Principal Materials Engineer at Swagelok.
Marcy, we’ve heard the term “PFAS” thrown around a lot lately. What does that mean?
MARCY MCQUARY:
PFAS is the abbreviation for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. In simple terms, it refers to thousands of chemicals that contain the element fluorine. What’s important to understand is that only about 10% of those fluorinated chemicals are used commercially.
MATT FERRARO:
So what are the concerns surrounding PFAS that are driving all this regulatory scrutiny?
MARCY MCQUARY:
There are a few fluorinated chemicals with very low molecular weight that have been linked to health hazards. Those materials are already heavily regulated. They are very different from the materials used in Swagelok products, specifically fluoropolymers, which have very high molecular weight. These high-molecular-weight materials have not been linked to health hazards.
However, another concern is that these materials don’t break down easily. They’re often referred to as “persistent,” and that’s part of the broader discussion around PFAS.
MATT FERRARO:
Can you expand on that? What types of PFAS are used in Swagelok products?
MARCY MCQUARY:
Fluoropolymers are key to our soft seals and seats. They enable high-temperature ratings and extreme chemical resistance, which are critical for many customer applications. Importantly, we do not use the low-molecular-weight PFAS that are heavily regulated. We only use high-molecular-weight fluoropolymers that have not been linked to health hazards.
MATT FERRARO:
That’s good to hear. Does Swagelok offer any products that do not contain PFAS?
MARCY MCQUARY:
Yes. We offer options. For customers who need high-temperature performance and extreme chemical resistance, we provide soft seals and seats made from materials such as FKM, FFKM, PTFE, and PCTFE. These materials deliver the required performance.
For customers whose systems do not require high temperatures or aggressive media compatibility, we also offer alternative soft-seal and seat materials that do not contain fluoropolymers.
MATT FERRARO:
How are fluoropolymer manufacturers responding to these concerns?
MARCY MCQUARY:
All major fluorochemical manufacturers have committed to responsible manufacturing practices, including stringent emission-control standards. They’ve invested heavily in these improvements. Many are also working to eliminate fluorosurfactants from their products, which helps remove the PFAS types associated with health hazards.
MATT FERRARO:
If customers have questions or concerns about PFAS in Swagelok products, what should they do?
MARCY MCQUARY:
They should contact their local Swagelok Sales and Service Center. They can help customers understand which PFAS-containing materials are used in our products and assist with selecting the best materials for their applications. Customers can also visit swagelok.com to locate their nearest Sales and Service Center.
MATT FERRARO:
Marcy, thank you so much for your time and expertise.
MARCY MCQUARY:
You’re welcome, Matt.
MATT FERRARO:
And thank you for joining us for this episode of Ask Swagelok.
