Abstract: An improved fluoropolymer composition for insulating wires or jacketing cables comprising a blend of fluoropolymer and an additive selected from the class consisting of zinc borate, ZnCO.sub.3, ZnCrO4, ZnMoO.sub.4, Zn.sub.3 (PO.sub.4).sub.2, ZnSiO.sub.4, ZnSO.sub.4, ZnTiO.sub.3, ZnZrO.sub.4, zinc ammonium sulfate, zinc acetyl acetonate, zinc formate, zinc oxalate, BiBO.sub.3, alumina trihydrate, mixtures of molybdenum and tin oxides, molybdenum trioxide, antimony trioxide, and pyrogenic silica. A preferred additive is zinc borate. This composition provides for wire insulation and cable jackets which have improved flame and smoke resistance with federal safety and Underwriters Laboratories standards.

Abstract: An improved melt-processable composition of a thermoplastic polymer selected from the class consisting of hexafluoroisobutylene/vinylidene fluoride copolymer, and ethylene/chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer, wherein added to said thermoplastic polymer are a phosphite ester and an oxamidoester. A preferred phosphite ester is tris (2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite, and a preferred oxamidoester is 2,2'-oxamidobis [ethyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate]. In a preferred composition, about 1 wt. % of phosphite ester and about 0.5 wt. % of oxamidoester are added to a hexafluoroisobutylene/vinylidene fluoride copolymer.

Abstract: About equimolar ethylene/chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer compositions are stabilized against thermal degradation by incorporating therein a stabilizing system comprising (a) a phosphite of an organic plyhydric phenol; (b) a salt of a carboxylic acid and a metal of Group II of the Periodic Table; and (c) an ester of a (4-hydroxy-5-alkylphenyl)alkanoic acid.

Abstract: A method of emulsion copolymerization of ethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene in the presence of a water soluble initiator and a water soluble fluorosurfactant. The fluorosurfactant having the general formula: CA.sub.3 (CF.sub.2).sub.B (C.sub.2 H.sub.4).sub.D -X wherein A is selected from H and F, B is 1 to 10, D is 1 to 6, and X is a hydrophilic group.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved process for the aqueous copolymerization of ethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst comprises an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent with a sufficient amount of a water soluble buffer compound to maintain the pH from above 7 to about 10. The improvement comprises the addition of from 0.1 to 10 parts per million preferably 1 to 10 parts per million by weight of a cupric cation based on the weight of the aqueous medium.