fluorocarbon

[ floor-oh-kahr-buhn, flawr-, flohr- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. any of a class of compounds produced by substituting fluorine for hydrogen in a hydrocarbon, and characterized by great chemical stability: used chiefly as a lubricant, refrigerant, fire extinguishing agent, and in industrial and other applications in which chemical, electrical, flame, and heat resistance is essential; banned as an aerosol propellant in the U.S. because of concern about ozone layer depletion.

fluorocarbon

/ ˌflʊərəʊˈkɑːbən /

noun

1. any compound derived by replacing all or some of the hydrogen atoms in hydrocarbons by fluorine atoms. Many of them are used as lubricants, solvents, and coatings See also Freon polytetrafluoroethylene CFC

fluorocarbon

/ flr′ō-kär′bən /

1. An inert, liquid or gaseous organic compound similar to a hydrocarbon but having fluorine atoms in the place of hydrogen atoms. Fluorocarbons are used in aerosol propellants and refrigerants.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fluorocarbon¹

First recorded in 1935–40; fluoro- + carbon

Example Sentences

Nylon monofilament, fluorocarbon, and so-called “superline” give fishermen tremendous advantages in strength, visibility, and ease of use.

From Popular-Science

The J knot is difficult to tie, but if you’re using a fluorocarbon leader, you are obviously concerned about visibility and shouldn’t go the Palomar-to-a-barrel-swivel route as explained above.

From Popular-Science