Abstract: A fluoropolymer having a reduced amount of polar end groups. The fluoropolymer is produced by free radical polymerization of fluorinated monomers and the initiation of the polymerization is carried out in the presence of a chloride salt. Polar end groups include hydroxy groups and ionized or ionizable end groups. Examples of ionized or ionizable end groups include acid groups and salts thereof such as sulfonic acid and salts thereof, —CH2—OSO3H groups, sulfates and carbonyl containing end groups such as carboxylic and carboxylate groups. Due to the presence of chloride salt at the initiation of the free radical polymerization, CF2Cl end groups are formed instead of the polar end groups. As a result, a fluoropolymer is obtained that has improved processibility and heat resistance.

Abstract: A composition comprising (a) a fluoropolymer having pendant imidate groups, which imidate groups have the formula: —C═NH(OR) wherein R is a C1-C10 aliphatic group which aliphatic group may have F or Cl substituents; and optionally, (b) a perfluorovinyl ether of the general formula: CF2═CFO(R′fO)a(R″fO)bRf wherein R′f and R″f are the same or are different C1-C6 linear or branched perfluoroalkylene groups; a and b are, independently, 0 or an integer from 1 to 10; and Rf is a C1-C8 perfluoroalkyl group or a C1-C15 perfluoroalkoxy group. Also provided are a method of making a fluoropolymer composition and curable and cured articles comprising a fluoropolymer composition.

Abstract: A composition comprising a fluoropolymer comprising interpolymerized units derived from a nitrogen-containing cure site monomer; and a catalyst composition comprising a compound having the general formula: wherein the group HA is an acid, and each R1, R2, and R3 is, independently, the same or a different C1-C20 alkyl group, a C3-C20 cyclic or heterocyclic group, Rf(CH2)x—wherein Rf is a C1-C8 linear or branched and at least partially fluorinated alkylene, cycloalkylene, or oxyalkylene, and x is 1 to 4, or a bond to another R group such that the nitrogen is bonded to or part of an imino or heterocyclic group; wherein two or more R groups may be linked to form a cyclic, bicyclic or aromatic group, optionally comprising a heteroatom. Also provided are a method of making a fluoropolymer composition and articles prepared from the compositions.

Abstract: High purity fluoropolymers are obtained by the emulsion polymerization process, removing essentially all ions and coagulating the polymer essentially without adding ions. These polymers are useful in the field of electronic devices.

Abstract: Aqueous microemulsions obtained from a perfluorinated alkane sulphonic or carboxylic acid or salt thereof, a liquid fluorinated monomer comprising a cure-site and optionally an inert liquid and highly fluorinated hydrocarbon compound. The aqueous microemulsion may be formed by mixing together water, a perfluorinated alkane sulphonic or carboxylic acid or salt thereof, optionally an inert liquid and highly fluorinated hydrocarbon compound and a liquid fluorinated monomer having a cure-site.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising a fluoropolymer comprising interpolymerized units derived from a nitrile cure site monomer, and an amino-substituted aromatic curative compound having at least one substituent other than hydrogen, wherein the net effect of the substituent(s) is not electron withdrawing, the curative has a pKa above about 12, the compound may contain one or more heteroatom(s) provided that no heteroatom directly bonded to a hydrogen is in the position ortho to the amino group, and one or more substituents may together form a ring, which ring may be aromatic and may include one or more heteroatoms(s). Also provided are the reaction products of the fluoropolymer and the curative described, cured articles, and a method of making the fluoropolymer compositions and articles.

Abstract: Provided is a fluoroplastic or latex comprising a nitrogen-containing cure site and units derived from a fluorinated monomer. Also provided is a curable blend comprising a fluoroplastic and a fluoroleastomer gum, wherein said fluoroplastic comprises a nitrogen-containing cure site and units derived from a fluorinated monomer. Also provided are cured, shaped articles, latex blends, and a process for preparing a fluoroplastic comprising: (a) introducing at least 60 weight percent of a first polymerizable composition comprising a fluorinated monomer into a polymerization reactor; (b) polymerizing said composition in said reactor; (c) introducing at least 70 weight percent of a second polymerizable composition comprising a nitrogen-containing cure site monomer into said reactor following addition of at least 80% by weight of said first polymerizable composition; and (d) copolymerizing said nitrogen-containing cure site monomer with said fluorinated monomer to form a fluoroplastic.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for making a fluoropolymer having nitrile endgroups. The process comprises a free radical polymerization of one or more fluorinated monomers in the presence of a nitrile group containing salt or a nitrile group containing pseudohalogen compound.

Abstract: A method of making a curable fluoroelastomer is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of preemulsifying at least one perfluorovinylether in water, and copolymerizing the preemulsified perfluorovinylether with a gaseous fluorinated monomer in the presence of a cure site monomer. The method provides a fluoroelastomer having a glass transition temperature of less than −10° C. Also disclosed is a fluoroelastomer that consists essentially of a perfluorovinylether of formula (I) as defined below, a cure site component, perfluoromethylvinylether, and tetrafluoroethylene and/or chlorotrifluoroethylene.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a fluoropolymer having interpolymerized units derived from a nitrogen-containing cure site monomer and an amidine-containing curative are provided.

Abstract: High purity fluoropolymers are obtained by the emulsion polymerization process, removing essentially all ions and coagulating the polymer essentially without adding ions. These polymers are useful in the field of electronic devices.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a fluoropolymer derived from a nitrogen-containing cure site monomer, a catalyst composition which comprises at least one anionic functional group and at least one cationic functional group having the formula QR′k(+), wherein Q is selected from phosphorous, sulfur, nitrogen, arsenic, or antimony, wherein each R′ is independently selected from hydrogen and a nonfluorinated, partially fluorinated, or perfluorinated, C1-C20 alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or alkenyl group, and wherein k is the valence of Q plus one; wherein the catalyst composition is a compound or the precursors thereof added separately or as a mixture; and a composition of the formula: R″2SOx wherein each R″ is C1-C30 alkyl, aralkyl, the two R″ groups together form a heterocyclic C3-C30 cycloalkyl, aryl, or aralkyl, each R″ can be fluorinated, and x is 1 or 2. Also provided are methods of making a fluoropolymer and fluoropolymer articles containing fluoropolymer compositions.

Abstract: A curable fluoroelastomer composition for preparing a perfluoroelastomer. The composition includes; (1) a perfluoropolymer having one or more cure-sites selected from a halogen capable of participating in peroxide cure reaction and/or nitrile groups; (2) an organic peroxide and/or a compound capable of effecting curing of the perfluoropolymer through said nitrile groups; and (3) optionally a polyunsaturated coagent. The perfluoropolymer in the composition is essentially free of ionic end groups and the total amount of metal cations in the composition is not more than 10&mgr;g/g perfluoropolymer. The perfluoroelastomers may be obtained from curing the composition in a sufficiently low amount of metal cations so as to make the fluoroelastomer suitable for use in the semi-conductor industry.

Abstract: A fluoropolymer having a reduced amount of polar end groups. The fluoropolymer is produced by free radical polymerization of fluorinated monomers and the initiation of the polymerization is carried out in the presence of a chloride salt. Polar end groups include hydroxy groups and ionized or ionizable end groups. Examples of ionized or ionizable end groups include acid groups and salts thereof such as sulfonic acid and salts thereof, —CH2—OSO3H groups, sulfates and carbonyl containing end groups such as carboxylic and carboxylate groups. Due to the presence of chloride salt at the initiation of the free radical polymerization, CF2Cl end groups are formed instead of the polar end groups. As a result, a fluoropolymer is obtained that has improved processibility and heat resistance.

Abstract: A composition that includes a fluoropolymer comprising interpolymerized units derived from a cure site monomer comprising a nitrile group; and (b) a catalyst composition comprising a compound having the formula R1C(OR2)═NH, and salts thereof, where R1 and R2, independently, are a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or alkenyl group, as well as a method for curing this composition and cured articles prepared from this composition.

Abstract: A composition that includes: (a) a fluoropolymer comprising interpolymerized units derived from a cure site monomer comprising a nitrile group; and (b) a catalyst composition comprising a divalent metal amine complex compound having the formula:  where M is a divalent metal, X is an anionic group, and n is 2 to 6, as well as a method for curing this composition and cured articles prepared from this composition.

Abstract: Curable fluoroelastomer compositions having improved compression set after curing are provided, as well as compositions that are of relatively high purity. These compositions include a hydrogen-containing fluoroelastomer having interpolymerized units derived from a cure-site monomer, a curative (optionally with a co-agent), and an organo-onium. When the fluoroelastomer contains units derived from vinylidene fluoride, the composition is essentially free from an inorganic acid acceptor. Methods of improving the compression of cured fluoroelastomer and cured fluoroelastomers having improved compression set are also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a curable fluoroelastomer is disclosed.

Abstract: A composition of a fluoropolymer comprising interpolymerized units of nitrogen-containing cure site monomer and a catalyst comprising a compound having the formula: 1

Abstract: A composition comprising (a) a fluoropolymer having pendant imidate groups, which imidate groups have the formula: —C═NH(OR) wherein R is a C1-C10 aliphatic group which aliphatic group may have F or Cl substituents; and optionally, (b) a perfluorovinyl ether of the general formula: CF2═CFO(R′fO)a(R″fO)bRf wherein R′f and R″f are the same or are different C1-C6 linear or branched perfluoroalkylene groups; a and b are, independently, 0 or an integer from 1 to 10; and Rf is a C1-C8 perfluoroalkyl group or a C1-C15 perfluoroalkoxy group.