Abstract: A process for dispersion spinning non-melt-processible fluoropolymer fiber in which a mixture of an aqueous dispersion of non-melt-processible polytetrafluoroethylene or modified polytetrafluoroethylene fluoropolymer particles and an aqueous solution of matrix polymer is formed. The non melt-processible particles have an SSG of less than about 2.40. The aqueous dispersion contains an aliphatic alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactant having a 20% residuals temperature determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of less than about 290° C. and is essentially free of surfactants containing aromatic groups. The dispersion has a fluorinated surfactant content of less than about 300 ppm. The mixture is extruded into a coagulation bath containing a concentration of ions which coagulate the matrix polymer to form an intermediate fiber structure. The intermediate fiber structure is sintered to decompose the matrix polymer and coalesce.

Abstract: A process for dispersion spinning non-melt-processible fluoropolymer fiber in which a mixture of an aqueous dispersion of non-melt-processible polytetrafluoroethylene or modified polytetrafluoroethylene fluoropolymer particles and an aqueous solution of matrix polymer is formed. The non melt-processible particles have an SSG of less than about 2.40. The aqueous dispersion contains an aliphatic alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactant having a 20% residuals temperature determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of less than about 290° C. and is essentially free of surfactants containing aromatic groups. The dispersion has a fluorinated surfactant content of less than about 300 ppm. The mixture is extruded into a coagulation bath containing a concentration of ions which coagulate the matrix polymer to form an intermediate fiber structure. The intermediate fiber structure is sintered to decompose the matrix polymer and coalesce.

Abstract: A process for dispersion spinning non-melt-processible fluoropolymer fiber in which a mixture of an aqueous dispersion of non-melt-processible polytetrafluoroethylene or modified polytetrafluoroethylene fluoropolymer particles and an aqueous solution of matrix polymer is formed. The non melt-processible particles have an SSG of less than about 2.40. The aqueous dispersion contains an aliphatic alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactant having a 20% residuals temperature determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of less than about 290° C. and is essentially free of surfactants containing aromatic groups. The dispersion has a fluorinated surfactant content of less than about 300 ppm. The mixture is extruded into a coagulation bath containing a concentration of ions which coagulate the matrix polymer to form an intermediate fiber structure. The intermediate fiber structure is sintered to decompose the matrix polymer and coalesce.

Abstract: A process for making a fluoropolymer coated substrate comprising: applying an aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion coating composition comprising an aqueous medium and fluoropolymer particles with a fluorosurfactant content of less than about 300 ppm to a substrate to form a wet coating on the substrate, the aqueous fluoropolymer coating composition comprising added water soluble salt; and drying the wet coating to form the fluoropolymer coated substrate by applying high frequency electromagnetic radiation to the wet coating, the added water soluble salt being effective to decrease the time required to dry the wet coating on the substrate by at least about 5% compared to an otherwise identical coating composition without the added water soluble salt.

Abstract: A process for dispersion spinning non-melt-processible fluoropolymer fiber in which a mixture of an aqueous dispersion of non-melt-processible polytetrafluoroethylene or modified polytetrafluoroethylene fluoropolymer particles and an aqueous solution of matrix polymer is formed. The non melt-processible particles have an SSG of less than about 2.40. The aqueous dispersion contains an aliphatic alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactant having a 20% residuals temperature determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of less than about 290° C. and is essentially free of surfactants containing aromatic groups. The dispersion has a fluorinated surfactant content of less than about 300 ppm. The mixture is extruded into a coagulation bath containing a concentration of ions which coagulate the matrix polymer to form an intermediate fiber structure. The intermediate fiber structure is sintered to decompose the matrix polymer and coalesce.