Abstract: The invention relates to sized reinforcing fibers that comprise a reinforcing fiber sized with a fluoropolymer. The fluoropolymer is functionalized and/or the reinforcing fiber is sized with a compatible functional non-fluorinated polymer that is compatible with the fluoropolymer. Functionalization of the fluoropolymer or the compatible non-fluorinated polymer provides enhanced properties, such as increased adhesion to the reinforcing fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an object or object part made from a composition comprising at least one fluoropolymer F, wherein: —the at least one fluoropolymer F comprises vinylidene fluoride units and at least 30 wt. % of units derived from at least one monomer of formula (I): (I) CX1X2?CX3Y, wherein each of X1, X2 and X3 is independently selected from H, Cl, F, Br, I and alkyl groups comprising from 1 to 3 carbon atoms which are optionally partly or fully halogenated and Y is an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 3 carbon atoms which is optionally partly or fully halogenated; —the proportion of the at least one fluoropolymer F in the composition is at least 80 wt. %; and—the viscosity of the composition is at least 1000 Pa·s at a temperature of 230° C. and at a shear rate of 100 s?1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separator for non-aqueous-type electrochemical devices that has been coated with a polymer binder composition having polymer particles of two different sizes, one fraction of the polymer particles with a weight average particle size of less than 1.5 micron, and the other fraction of the polymer particles with a weight average particle size of greater than 1.5 microns. The bi-modal polymer particles provide an uneven coating surface that creates voids between the separator and adjoining electrodes, allowing for expansion of the battery components during the charging and discharging cycle, with little or no increase in the size of the battery itself. The bi-modal polymer coating can be used in non-aqueous-type electrochemical devices, such as batteries and electric double layer capacitors.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluoropolymers that have been modified with low molecular weight, polymeric chain transfer agents, and uses of the modified fluoropolymers. The modified fluoropolymers provide enhanced properties to the fluoropolymer, such as increased adhesion, and hydrophilic characteristics. The modified functional fluoropolymers are useful in many applications, including as binders in electrode-forming compositions and separator compositions, for hydrophilic membranes and hollow fiber membranes, as an aqueous and a solvent cast coating for baked decorative and protective coatings, and as a tie layer between a fluoropolymer layer and an incompatible polymer layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluoropolymer composites having a fluoropolymer matrix containing a functionalized fluoropolymer composition, and reinforced with fibers. The fibers can be chopped fibers, long fibers, or a mixture thereof, and the fluoropolymer matrix preferably is based on polyvinylidene fluoride. Any type of fibers, sized or unsized may be used with the functionalized fluoropolymer matrix composition to form the fluoropolymer composite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a thermoplastic fluoropolymer blend composition exhibiting improved mechanical properties upon fabrication. The fluoropolymer blend composite on is produced by blending an emulsion latex of fluoropolymer (A) with an emulsion latex of fluorinated copolymer (B). Copolymer (B) emulsion has a small particle size, super high MW, and a low degree of crystallinity. The blending of the latex emulsions results in a morphology with small particles of copolymer (B) uniformly distributed within a matrix of fluoropolymer (A) in a manner that could not be achieved by a mere melt blending of the tow components.

Abstract: This invention discloses a reticulated film composite and a method of fabricating a reticulated film composite suitable as a 3 dimensional porous and conductive matrix which contains up to 80% porosity and exhibits high recovery after compression. The reticulated film composite is produced by casting and drying of a slurry which exhibits a high yield stress (i.e. greater than 50 dyne/cm2) and comprised of a high MW resin dissolved in a solvent (i.e. having solution viscosity of higher than 100 cp at 5% in NMP at room temperature) and dispersed nanoparticles of carbon of high specific surface areas (i.e. greater than 1 m2/g preferably greater than 10 m2/g), examples include but not limited to conductive carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphene, activated carbon or mixture thereof. This reticulated film composite exhibits high electrical conductivity (i.e. volume resistivity of less than 10,000 ?·cm) and superior dimensional stability even at elevated temperatures (i.e. at 140° C.).

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of fabricating a reticulated solid electrolyte/separator (RSES) which is suitable both as electrolyte and separator in a solid state battery. The reticulated composite is produced by casting and drying of a slurry which exhibits a high yield stress (greater than 50 dyne/cm2) and comprised of a high MW resin dissolved in a solvent (having solution viscosity of higher than 100 cp at 5% in NMP at room temperature) and dispersed nanoparticles of solid electrolyte of high specific surface areas (i.e. greater than 1 m2/g, preferable greater than 10 m2/g) including but not limited to LLZO, LSP, or LIPON or derivatives thereof. This reticulated solid electrolyte/separator exhibits superior cycling properties and high ionic conductivity, resists lithium dendrite penetration, and maintains a high dimensional stability (less than 10% shrinking) at elevated temperatures (up to 140° C.).

Abstract: This invention discloses a reticulated film composite and a method of fabricating the reticulated film composite suitable as a separator in electrochemical cells as sound absorbing films, or as high efficiency filtering media. The reticulated film composite is produced by casting and drying of a slurry which exhibits a high yield stress (i.e. greater than 50 dyne/cm2) and comprised of a high MW resin dissolved in a solvent (i.e. having solution viscosity of higher than 100 cp at 5% in NMP or in water at room temperature) and dispersed nanoparticles with high specific surface areas (i.e. greater than 10 m2/g) such as fumed alumina, or fumed silica, or fumed zirconia or mixture thereof. This reticulated film composite exhibits superior cycling properties and high ionic conductivity with a porosity up to 80% while maintains a high dimensional stability (i.e. less than 10% shrinking) at elevated temperatures (up to 140° C.).

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of chopped fibers in thermoplastic composite compounds, and in particular to thermoplastic fluoropolymer compounds. The fluoropolymer matrix contains thermoplastic fluoropolymers that have been grafted with a carboxylic polar functionality, such as KYNAR ADX® polymer from Arkema. The chopped fiber—grafted fluoropolymer composite has increased tensile and flexural strength compared to fluoropolymer compounds that contain no grafted carboxylic grafted fluoropolymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to integrated electrode separators (IES), and their use in lithium ion batteries as replacements for free standing separators. The IES results from coating an electrode with a fluoropolymer aqueous-based emulsion or suspension, and drying the coating to produce a tough, porous separator layer on the electrodes. The aqueous fluoropolymer coating may optionally contain dispersed inorganic particles and other additives to improve electrode performance such as higher ionic conduction or higher temperature use. The IES provides several advantages, including a thinner, more uniform separator layer, and the elimination of a separate battery component (separator membrane) for a simpler and cost-saving manufacturing process. The aqueous separator coating can be used in combination with a solvent cast electrode as well as an aqueous cast electrode either in two separate process steps, or in a one-step process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separator for non-aqueous-type electrochemical devices that has been coated with a polymer binder composition having polymer particles of two different sizes, one fraction of the polymer particles with a weight average particle size of less than 1.5 micron, and the other fraction of the polymer particles with a weight average particle size of greater than 1.5 microns. The bi-modal polymer particles provide an uneven coating surface that creates voids between the separator and adjoining electrodes, allowing for expansion of the battery components during the charging and discharging cycle, with little or no increase in the size of the battery itself. The bi-modal polymer coating can be used in non-aqueous-type electrochemical devices, such as batteries and electric double layer capacitors.

Abstract: The invention relates to an object or object part made from a composition comprising at least one fluoropolymer F, wherein: —the at least one fluoropolymer F comprises vinylidene fluoride units and at least 30 wt. % of units derived from at least one monomer of formula (I): (I) CX1X2?CX3Y, wherein each of X1, X2 and X3 is independently selected from H, Cl, F, Br, I and alkyl groups comprising from 1 to 3 carbon atoms which are optionally partly or fully halogenated and Y is an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 3 carbon atoms which is optionally partly or fully halogenated; —the proportion of the at least one fluoropolymer F in the composition is at least 80 wt. %; and—the viscosity of the composition is at least 1000 Pa·s at a temperature of 230° C. and at a shear rate of 100 s?1.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of chopped fibers in thermoplastic composite compounds, and in particular to thermoplastic fluoropolymer compounds. The fluoropolymer matrix contains thermoplastic fluoropolymers that have been grafted with a carboxylic polar functionality, such as KYNAR ADX® polymer from Arkema. The chopped fiber—grafted fluoropolymer composite has increased tensile and flexural strength compared to fluoropolymer compounds that contain no grafted carboxylic grafted fluoropolymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dry free-flowing composite of a sub-micron polymer binder particles and interactive materials, and articles formed therefrom. The polymer particles are formed from a dilute latex polymer and blended with interactive materials, then the blend is spray-dried, to form a dry blend in which less than 10% of all polymer particles are in an agglomerated form. The polymer is preferably a polyvinylidene fluoride, such as Kyblock® PVDF from Arkema. The dry blend will be used to form articles and coatings by many means, for example forming a three dimensional article by heat and pressure, it can be redispersed into an aqueous coating composition, or can be electro-coated onto a substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluoropolymer coating composition that can be used, for example, in coating electrodes and/or separators in electrochemical devices. The fluoropolymer coating composition preferably contains multiple fluoropolymer phases. The coated electrodes and/or separators have both excellent wet adhesion, excellent dry adhesion, and low leachables. Each of the fluoropolymer phases contains polymers having at least 10 weight percent, of a common fluoromonomer, making the polymer phases compatible with each other, and allowing for the phases to be distributed fairly homogeneously on a macroscopic level throughout the composition and dried coating formed from the composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to blends containing polymers of vinylidene fluoride, having low ductile-brittle transition temperatures and having excellent low temperature impact properties while maintaining the positive aspects of unmodified vinylidene fluoride-containing polymers. The blends of this invention are produced by adding a core-shell impact modifier (CSIM) comprised of a polysiloxane core and a shell compatible with vinylidene fluoride-containing polymer. The blends are further characterized by the presence of a heterogeneous copolymer composition comprised of two or more distinct phases and/or at least one flame and smoke suppressant. The preparation of these new blends can be done by conventional thermoplastic compounding techniques such as twin screw compounding; alternatively, the CSIM can be introduced earlier, such as in the latex.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode formed by the blending of dry active powdery electrode forming materials with an aqueous binder dispersion, and the subsequent adhering of the wet binder/dry active powdery electrode-forming materials blend to an electroconductive substrate, resulting in an electrode. The aqueous binder is preferably a fluoropolymer, and more preferably polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The hybrid process provides the good dispersion and small particle size of a wet process, with the energy savings and reduced environmental impact of a dry process. The resulting electrode is useful in energy-storage devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluoropolymer composites having a fluoropolymer matrix containing a functionalized fluoropolymer composition, and reinforced with fibers. The fibers can be chopped fibers, long fibers, or a mixture thereof, and the fluoropolymer matrix preferably is based on polyvinylidene fluoride. Any type of fibers, sized or unsized may be used with the functionalized fluoropolymer matrix composition to form the fluoropolymer composite.

Abstract: The invention relates to sized reinforcing fibers that comprise a reinforcing fiber sized with a fluoropolymer. The fluoropolymer is functionalized and/or the reinforcing fiber is sized with a compatible functional non-fluorinated polymer that is compatible with the fluoropolymer. Functionalization of the fluoropolymer or the compatible non-fluorinated polymer provides enhanced properties, such as increased adhesion to the reinforcing fiber.