Abstract: The present invention is a new class of terpolymers for use as high strain electrostrictive polymer films. More particularly, the invention is a class of electrostrictive terpolymers comprising vinylidene fluoride (VDF), trifluoroethylene (TrFE) and at least one monomer having at least one halogen atom side group. The monomer is preferably an ethylene-based monomer and preferably selected to favor gauche-type linkage along the polymer backbone. The halogen atom side group is preferably large enough to move or cause adjacent polymer chains to be farther apart from or away from each other than in the absence of such side group, but not so large that it would inhibit polymer crystallites from forming. The monomer is preferably a chloro-monomer such as chlorofluoroethylene (CFE). The chlorofluoroethylene (CFE) is preferably 1-chloro-2-fluoroethylene or 1-chloro-1-fluoroethylene. The chlorofluoroethylene (CFE) favors gauche-type linkage which favors high electrostrictive strains.

Abstract: Emulsifier free fluoropolymer manufacturing method in which (a) a chain transfer agent, or a mixture of chain transfer agents are used wherein the chain transfer agents do not yield more than 0.4 weight % relative to the monomer feed of water soluble fluorinated compounds, or (b) a chain transfer agent or a mixture of chain transfer agents selected from alkanes, dialkyl ethers, hydrofluoroethers and/or hydrofluorocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a compound of CF3CF2CF2OCF?CF2 by pyrolyzing a compound expressed by CF3CF2CF2OCF(CF3)COOCF2CF(CF3)OCF2CF2CF3 in a gas phase at a temperature of from 200° C. to 500° C.

Abstract: One or more PTFE films are heated to greater than 150 degrees centigrade (C) and for a time greater than 20 hours, then the PTFE films are cooled. The PTFE films may be heated to temperatures greater than 200° C. and less than 250° C. and most preferably heated to a temperature of about 228° C. The PTFE films may be kept at a temperature for greater than 50 hours or most preferably kept at a temperature for around 100 hours. The PTFE films may be heat processable PTFE fluoropolymer films and may have a number of heat affected zones. The heat affected zones may be created before or after heat treating. The heat affected zones are generally caused by welding two or more PTFE films together, usually under pressure. An “optimal” temperature and “optimal” time period are determined at which heat processed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fluoropolymers should be heat treated.

Abstract: Provided is a process for making a copolymer of fluorinated olefin and hydrocarbon olefin selected from ethylene, propylene and mixtures thereof, the process comprising a substantially emulsifier free aqueous emulsion polymerization of said fluorinated olefin and said hydrocarbon olefin, optionally in the presence of fluoropolymer particles and/or fluorinated liquid in a form suitable to improve the copolymerization of fluorinated olefin and hydrocarbon olefin.

Abstract: A fluoropolymer having a melting point of at least 160° C. is provided wherein the fluoropolymer is derived from tetrafluoroethylene as the major component, one or more perfluoro vinyl ethers as the minor component, the perfluoro vinyl ether having the formula CF2?CFO(CF2)nORf wherein n is from 2 to 6 and Rf is a perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and optionally a perfluoro alkyl vinyl ether having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical.

Abstract: An aqueous ionomer gel having a high viscosity, particularly a proton conducting ionomer, as well as to related products incorporating such gels. Such aqueous ionomer gels are suitable for suspending catalysts for formation of catalyst inks, which in turn are suitable for screen printing on a variety of surfaces. Representative surfaces are the electrode or membrane surfaces in an electrochemical fuel cell. Methods for making aqueous ionomer gels are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing a breathable film including producing an inorganic filler by treating particles of an inorganic particulate material comprising an alkaline earth metal carbonate compound by reaction with a hydrophobizing surface treatment agent comprising one or more aliphatic carboxylic acids having at least 10 chain carbon atoms to produce a hydrophobic coating on the particles including a classification step to result in an inorganic filler having a reduced level of interfering particles. The invention is also breathable polymeric films made using the novel filler.

Abstract: A PVDF-containing LC Cable wherein the Cable contains no more than about 50 weight % PVDF, based on the weight of the Cable, is provided.

Abstract: An improved elastomeric material is described comprising an essentially noncross-linkable amorphous copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and perfluoromethyl vinyl ether (PMVE) which is both a thermoplastic and exhibits exceptional mechanical properties. This material is particularly suitable for use in ultra-clean environments, and particularly for use in an implantable device, since it does not contain contaminants that previous thermoset TFE/PMVE copolymers have required. Among the improved properties of the present invention are excellent biocompatibility, high matrix tensile strength, high clarity, high abrasion resistance, high purity, adequate elasticity, and ease of processing due to the thermoplastic, and noncross-linkable structure of the copolymer. The material of the present invention is also a high strength bonding agent particularly suited for bonding porous PTFE to itself or to other porous substances at room or elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A heat sealable tape of a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and at least about 15% by weight of a highly fluorinated monomer. The copolymer has a melt viscosity of no greater than about 1000 Pa·S at 372° C. and an application temperature of no greater than about 250° C. The invention further provides for a seam formed from two sections of sheet material, especially fabric, wherein each sheet has at least one fluoropolymer surface. The sections are sealed one to the other by application of heat sealable composition over one fluoropolymer surface of each section. The heat sealable composition comprises a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and at least about 15% by weight of a highly fluorinated monomer, the copolymer having a melt viscosity of no greater than about 1000 Pa·S at 372° C. and an application temperature of no greater than about 250° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of PVDF homopolymer or copolymer by radical polymerization of vinylidene fluoride (VDF), and optionally of a comonomer, in aqueous dispersion and in the presence of a transfer agent, of a persulphate as radical initiator, optionally of a surface-active additive and optionally of a paraffin wax, in which: a) an aqueous PVDF dispersion is obtained, b) the dispersion from stage a) is washed, optionally after having been coagulated, to lower the proportion of possible surfactant in the PVDF to below 300 ppm, this proportion being expressed with respect to the dried PVDF, c) sodium acetate and optionally a potassium alkylsulphonate are added to the dispersion washed in b), d) the dispersion from stage c) is dried by any means to recover the PVDF powder comprising sodium acetate and optionally a potassium alkylsulphonate.

Abstract: The use of perfluorinated polymers and/or fluorinated ionomers as surfactant emulsifiers in emulsion polymerization of fluorinated monomers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making an aqueous dispersion of non-melt processible polytetrafluoroethylene, the method comprising: (a) an aqueous emulsion polymerization of an amount of tetrafluoroethylene to produce a final amount of polytetrafluoroethylene solids and optionally up to 1% by weight based on the amount of tetrafluoroethylene of a perfluorinated comonomer, wherein said aqueous emulsion polymerization is initiated with a free radical initiator and the polymerization is carried out in the presence of a fluorinated surfactant, and wherein before completing the feeding of said amount of tetrafluoroethylene but after feeding at least 80% by weight of said amount of tetrafluoroethylene, free radicals capable of introducing ionic end groups or precursors thereof in the polytetrafluoroethylene polymer are caused to be formed at a rate that without counter measures would cause an increase in the polymerization rate of at least 20%; (b) reducing the amount of fluorinated surfactant in the th

Abstract: An ionomer and a process for forming the ionomer such that the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight; below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between about 700 and about 800; and (2) high conductivity, (greater than 0.15 S/cm). In an alternative embodiment, the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight; below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between about 700 and about 800; and (2) acceptably low hydration, (less than about 75 weight percent). These ionomers are adapted to be processed into thin films that have acceptable physical stability. They are thus extremely well-suited for low humidity or high temperature fuel cell applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluoropolymer resin-based composition useful as a stain resistant coating. The coating composition contains organosilicates and at least one water-scavenger, and has an extended pot life. Articles coated with the composition show superior weatherability, dirt shedding, and stain resistance, without a negative effect on gloss. The coating is especially useful on roofing materials, wall materials and other outdoor building materials.

Abstract: Copolymers formed by TFE and FMVE containing FMVE in percent by moles from 2.5% to 8%; the % TFE moles being the complement to 100% of the FMVE moles.

Abstract: There is provided the process for effectively preparing the fluorine-containing polymer without using CFC and HCFC which have a high polymerization rate and a high ozone depletion potential and a coating film having excellent mechanical properties, solvent resistance and chemical resistance can be formed using the obtained fluorine-containing polymer. In preparing the fluorine-containing polymer by polymerizing a monomer containing a fluoroolefin in a polymerization medium, the fluorine-containing solvent having an ozone depletion potential of 0 and a solubility of hydroxybutyl vinyl ether of not less than 0.5% is used as the polymerization medium.

Abstract: A composition comprising tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) copolymer and PTFE micropowder with flex life superior to compositions made exclusively of tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) copolymer having equivalent perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) content and melt flow rate.

Abstract: An ionomer and a process for forming the ionomer such that the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight; below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between about 700 and about 800; and (2) high conductivity, (greater than 0.15 S/cm). In an alternative embodiment, the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight; below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between about 700 and about 800; and (2) acceptably low hydration, (less than about 75 weight percent). These ionomers are adapted to be processed into thin films that have acceptable physical stability. They are thus extremely well-suited for low humidity or high temperature fuel cell applications.