Abstract: A method is provided for preparation of a fluoro-polymeric film on a carrier, covering:(a) preparing an aqueous dispersion of polymeric material;(b) dipping a fluoropolymer pre-treated carrier belt through the dispersion so that a coating of the dispersion is formed on the carrier belt;(c) passing the coated carrier belt through a metering zone to remove excess dispersion;(d) drying the metered coated carrier to remove the water from the dispersion; and(e) heating the dried coated carrier to a temperature sufficient to consolidate the dispersion. The carrier belt is formed from a material of low thermal mass having chemical and dimensional stability at the consolidation temperature of the dispersion and a work of adhesion between the carrier belt and the dispersion that does not exceed the yield strength of the consolidated fluoropolymeric film.

Abstract: Interpenetrated matrix of polytetrafluoroethylene and elastomer is disclosed. The matrix is formed into a composite material which is flexible, durable, highly porous with a tight microporous structure and improved retractability. The composite material is subjected to a multi-expansion process to produce shaped articles such as films, tubes, rods and filaments with excellent flexibility and elasticity. More particularly, the composite material can be utilized to produce vascular grafts with excellent biological compatibility.

Abstract: A composite article having controlled void volume and mean pore size comprises:(a) polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fibril matrix, and(b) insoluble, non-swellable sorptive particles enmeshed in said matrix, the ratio of non-swellable sorptive particles to PTFE is in the range of 40:1 to 1:4 by weight, the composite article having a porosity in the range of 30 to 80 percent void volume and a mean pore size in the range of 0.3 to 5 micrometers, preferably with at least 90 percent of pores having a size less than 3.6 micrometers.The article is prepared by incorporating lubricant in the precursor admixture in an amount sufficient to exceed the lubricant sorptive capacity of the particles by at least 3 weight percent and up to an amount at which the mass loses its integrity.

Abstract: Improved process for extruding through a die a difficultly-melt-processible polymer, especially a polymer containing an additive such as an antiblock agent. There is first extruded through the die a polymer resin containing 0.001 to 1 wt. % of a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and a functional-group-containing monomer that is terminated in a -CF.sub.2 W group wherein W is selected from -SO.sub.2 F, -SO.sub.2 Cl, -SO.sub.3 M, -COOR and -COOM, R is a C.sub.1-3 alkyl radical and M is H, a metal cation or an ammonium or quaternary ammonium cation, and thereafter there is extruded through the die the difficultly-melt-processible polymer admixed with 0.001-1 wt. % of a fluoropolymer process said having a fluorine to carbon ratio of at least 1:2.

Abstract: A process for producing a multilayer polytetrafluoroethylene porous membrane comprising at least two layers having different average pore diameters is disclosed, the process comprising the steps of: filling the inside of a cylinder of an extruding mold distinctively with at least two kinds of polytetrafluoroethylene fine powders with each of which a liquid lubricant has been mixed; subsequently paste-extruding the powders to obtain a multilayer extrudate, which is then optionally rolled; and then stretching the extrudate or the rolled extrudate at least monoaxially after the liquid lubricant is removed therefrom or without removing the liquid lubricant.

Abstract: A sealing element for use with a radial lip oil seal includes a mounting section formed of a first polymer and a sealing section formed of a second polymer. The sealing element sections are bonded together during a common sintering operation so that each polymer is sintered only once. This reduces molecular degradation of the polymers typically caused by multiple sintering operations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making thermoplastic polymeric fibrils by passing an aqueous suspension of powdered thermoplastic polymeric material at high pressure through a two-stage valve assembly of the type conventionally used in liquid homogenization.

Abstract: This invention relates to porous polytetrafluoroethylene (hereinafter PTFE) materials having the property of rapid recovery and a method for producing these materials. The microstructure of the porous PTFE material consists of nodes interconnected by fibrils, substantially all of the fibrils having a bent or wavy appearance. Articles made from these materials are particularly suitable for use in the medical field, but are also useful in other areas such as filtration and fabric applications.

Abstract: A uniaxially drawn oriented polyolefin film for cable insulation, has a thickness of 80 to 250.mu. and is composed of a crystalline polyolefin having a melt index of 10 or more and 0.5 to 20 phr of unsintered polytetrafluoroethylene, wherein the added unsintered polytetrafluoroethylene is in the form of microfibrous particles uniformly dispersed in the crystalline polyolefin as a matrix so as to be parallel to the orientation axis of the polyolefin; an apparent MI value of the film is 1/4 to 1/10 of the MI value of the crystalline polyolefin used; the tensile Young's modulus of the film in the direction of the orientation axis is 2.times.10.sup.4 kg/cm.sup.2 or more; and the change in the thickness of the film in dodecylbenzene at 100.degree. C. is 10% or less. A method for manufacturing this film is also provided.

Abstract: An improved process for manufacturing low density polytetrofluoroethylene insulated cable using a paste type extrudate to form a hollow tube of insulated material extruded about a wire conductor which passes through the extrusion die. As contrasted with earlier methods, the shaped extrudate paste is stretched before removing the extrusion aid substantially at ambient temperature with only residual heat imparted by extrusion by a driven pulley, the peripheral speed of which may be varied in accordance with the speed of the extrudate. With the completion of the stretching, the increased outer surface and porosity of the extrudate permits faster removal of the extrusion aid immediately prior to entering a sintering oven.

Abstract: A process for producing a workpiece by compacting powder material, includes the steps of applying compression to the material along selected preferably orthogonal axes in compression steps, each compression step causing a volume reduction selected to produce the desired final compaction and orientation of material in the workpiece for that axis.

Abstract: A method for welding together filled sintered polytetrafluoroethylene components. The ends of the components to be welded are carefully tapered to form reverse mated surfaces and then assembled in position to be welded. The actual welding step is carried out under heat and pressure followed by cooling under pressure. The process is particularly useful in the fabrication of very large gaskets or other very large planar objects.

Abstract: A method for molding a filler-containing polytetrafluoroethylene, which comprises adding a surfactant-containing aqueous medium to a filler-containing polytetrafluoroethylene, followed by extrusion molding.

Abstract: Electrode materials containing active material in a fibrillated polymer binder are formed continuously into a cohesive electrode component by utilizing a barrel for processing the electrode materials. A mechanism is provided in the barrel for axially advancing the electrode materials, while mixing and kneading the materials to fibrillate the polymer binder. A forming means at the end of the barrel receives the resultant mixture and continuously forms a cohesive component of fibrillated polymer binder and active material as other electrode materials continue to be advanced and processed in the barrel.

Abstract: A highly compressible gasket material is formed by fusing two filled sheets of PTFE containing dispersed microballoons to a central unfilled sheet of PTFE which provides tensile strength to the material. The two unfilled sheets each constitute from 20% to 25% of the overall thickness of the gasket material. This method provides a unitary gasket assembly having an overall compressibility of 45% or more, but the thicker unfilled PTFE central area of the assembly provides excellent recovery characteristics and resistance to creep relaxation.

Abstract: PTFE vascular tubing is guided on to a tapered ultrasonic horn as the horn is oscillating at a high frequency. This action causes the end of the tubing moved onto the horn to expand. The expanded tubing is then positioned on a mandrel having a desired shape, such as tapered, and resintered. The finished tubing with an expanded diameter on one end and a non-expanded diameter on the other end is then removed from the mandrel, and is ready for use. Untapered tubing can also be radially expanded by this method to provide a thinner wall.

Abstract: A process for producing a semi-interpenetrating polymer network of polytetrafluoroethylene and silicone elastomers is described which comprises the steps of (1) intimately blending a mixture of a major amount of unsintered and unfibrillated particulate polytetrafluoroethylene dispersion resin and minor amounts of (A) a hydrocarbon liquid and (B) an addition curable silicone composition consisting essentially of a polydiorganosiloxane having alkenyl unsaturation, an organohydrogenpoly-siloxane crosslinking agent, a catalyst for promoting crosslinking of said polysiloxane, and an inhibitor for the catalytic reaction; (2) forming said blend into an extrudable shape; (3) biaxially extruding said blend through a die into a shaped extrudate product having a randomly fibrillated structure; (4) evaporating said hydrocarbon liquid, and activating said catalyst so as to generate a cured silicone elastomer and polytetrafluoroethylene semi-interpenetrating polymer network comprising said fibrillated extrudate structure.

Abstract: A method of continuously forming a shaped long article of an aromatic polyimide power including supplying a powdery mixture containing an aromatic polyimide powder having a heat loss ratio of not more than 2 wt. % and a mean particle size in the range of 0.1 to 40 .mu.m, and a small amount of a fluororesin powder to a ram-extrusion apparatus having a mold and performing alternately, at a temperature of not lower than 300.degree. C., filling the mold with the above mixture and ram-extruding the same at a pressure in the range of 100-1,500 kg/cm.sup.2. An extruded long article of an aromatic polyimide which has a specific gravity of more than 1.380, a radial crushing strength of not less than 800 kg/cm.sup.2, and a coefficient of linear expansion in the radial direction being less than that in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A process for producing a moldable non-woven fabric is disclosed, which comprises coating or impregnating a mat made of non-woven fabrics with an aqueous emulsion of a thermoplastic resin having a moldable temperature range of from 80.degree. to 180.degree. C. in such an amount that the resin solids content of the emulsion is 15 to 300 wt % based on the weight of the mat, removing the moisture from the mat by heating, and pressing the mat to adjust the apparent density of the mat to 0.15 to 0.5 g/cm.sup.3. This fabric is useful as an interior material for use in an automobile, for example.

Abstract: A method for fastening soft porous polymer tubes into a fastening seat by remolding the tube ends by compression to remove porosity before insertion into the seat or pressure insertion of a hard, strong tube into each porous tube after insertion into the fastening seat to compress it. An adhesive is used to fill the seat to hold the tubes in place.

Abstract: A process which comprises thermally decomposing in an electrically heated vibrating helical conveyor, manganese carbonate (MnCO.sub.3 x H.sub.2 O) into a manganese oxide (predominantly of Mn.sub.2 O.sub.3 x Mn.sub.5 O.sub.8) catalyst at about 500.degree. C., and processing this catalyst into a highly active electrode paste by dry intensive mixing with a carbon-containing conductive material (carbon black, graphite or activated carbon) and PTFE as the binder. The resulting electrode paste can be rolled into a supporting net made from Ni or Ag. Also a two-step mixing process in which the catalyst powder is first premixed with small amounts of a conductive agent and a binder, compacted and granulated, and then combined with the larger residual amount of the intended amounts of conductive agent and binder in a second mixing step.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparation of a fluoropolymeric film on a carrier, comprising:(a) preparing an aqueous dispersion comprising a fluoropolymer;(b) dipping a carrier belt through the dispersion such that a coating of the dispersion is formed on the carrier belt;(c) passing the coated carrier belt through a metering zone to remove excess dispersion;(d) drying the metered coated carrier to remove the water from the dispersion; and(e) heating the dried coated carrier to a temperature sufficient to consolidate the dispersion, wherein the carrier belt is formed from a material of low thermal mass having chemical and dimensional stability at the consolidation temperature of the dispersion and a work of adhesion between the carrier belt and the dispersion that does not exceed the yield strength of the consolidated fluoropolymeric film.

Abstract: A composition comprising a homogenous mixture of unsintered porous fluoropolymer particles and fluoroelastomers, processes for manufacturing the composition, and devices made from the composition.

Abstract: Apparatus, a method for extruding and expanding tubular products of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and the products produced thereby are provided. In the apparatus, at least one helical groove is placed in the wall of the extruder tip or die. Preferably, at least one groove is machined in the tip having a pitch angle of 45 degrees and at least one groove is machined in the die having a pitch opposite that (135 degrees) of the tip groove. In the expanded products produced according to the invention, at least one radial position within the wall of a tube substantially all of the longitudinal axes of the nodes are oriented at an angle between about 85 degrees and about 15 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube.

Abstract: To provide a snug-fitting bearing for journalling the spindle end of a printing press cylinder, a flanged bearing sleeve is disposed in a bore in the press frame and an anti-friction plastic material which compensates for the bearing play is injected into an external annular groove in the bearing sleeve of considerably less width than the depth of the bore in the press frame. Preferably, the bore is pretreated with a volatile release agent and the plastic material cures in situ to become a narrow bearing ring in the groove. The bearing sleeve may have eccentric annular shoulders on either side of the groove and a thin annular metal bushing may be interposed between the cylinder spindle and the interior of the sleeve bearing.

Abstract: A lip-type oil seal for use with a rotary shaft is manufactured by a method wherein different elastomeric materials for forming respectively the sealed liquid side and the atmospheric side of a tip portion of a sealing lip of the oil seal have different moduli of elasticity or hardnesses and are placed in a superposed condition within a mold prepared for vulcanization molding the oil seal. The mold is then clamped and the materials are heated and compressed so that an elastomeric material is fluidized and is vulcanization molded together with the other material to form an integral structure while a surplus portion is allowed to remain on the atmospheric side, thereby forming a sealed liquid side surface of the sealing lip. After the fluidized material has been hardened, the mold is opened and the surplus portion is then cut off, thereby forming an atmospheric side surface of the sealing lip.

Abstract: A method of producing cylindrical objects with one or more lobes in which the bore surfaces are completely protected by a surface layer of abrasion resistant and/or corrosion resistant alloy and which protective layer is free of any contamination by the metal of the substrate. A hard, wear resistant, and corrosion resistant nickel-based alloy is especially suitable as lining material for surface of cylindrical products, such as housings or shells used in extrusion and injection molding devices for processing halogenated resins or rubbers. The alloys will preferably also contain 0.5 to 5% silicon and 1 to 4% boron. Also disclosed is a method of producing cylindrical objects with one or more lobes in which the bore surfaces are completely protected by a surface layer of abrasion resistant and/or corrosion resistant alloy, such as the above-described metal-based alloy.

Abstract: A polarizable electrode for an electric double layer capacitor, composed of a continuously micro-porous structure of a fluorine-containing polymer resin with a fine carbon powder incorporated therein, wherein said structure includes a numerous fine nodes of the resin and fine fibers of the resin three dimensionally connecting the nodes so that the nodes are partially in contact with or connected to one another, and the fine carbon powder is contained substantially in the nodes.

Abstract: A composite self-supporting flexible agglomerated macrostructure is described which includes (1) a matrix of unfibrillated polytetrafluoroethylene resin and addition curable silicone and (2) particulate material including hydroxyapatite and/or tricalcium phosphate uniformly distributed throughout said matrix, the macrostructure being uniformly permeated by a network of open pores formed in the process of manufacture by intimately blending particulate sodium chloride and subsequently leaching the sodium chloride particles.

Abstract: The specification discloses a new method and apparatus for treating extruded TEFLON (fluoropolymer) tubing to significantly improve its dimensional and optical characteristics. Diameter tolerance is .+-.0.0002, concentricity rises to 95%, and optical clarity rises to the theoretical transmittance of the material. The tubing is first cleaned, and then heated to a transition temperature above 150.degree. C. to soften and further homogenize the tubing. The tubing is then drawn through a polished diamond die and then rapidly cooled. The cooled tubing may be further stabilized by an annealing step. Both a batch mode and a continuous mode of operation are disclosed.

Abstract: High strength fibers of polymeric material and having outstanding tensile strength, Young's modulus values, and creep resistance are prepared by treating a fiber from a polymeric material, which may contain a crosslinking promoter, by (a) crosslinking the polymeric material; (b) heating the fiber to a temperature, T.sub.1, which (i) in the event the polymer is amorphous, is above the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer and, (ii) in the event the polymer is crystalline, is above the second order transition temperature, T.sub..alpha..sbsb.c, and below the crystalline melting temperature (Tm) of the polymer; (c) drawing the fiber to a draw ratio of at least about 2 at a rate of at least about 200% per minute and (d) cooling the fiber.

Abstract: An elastic rotatable member, includes an elastic rubber layer, a surface layer of resin formed on the elastic layer, wherein the surface layer is provided by applying resin material together with liquid to a surface of the elastic rubber layer and sintering the resin material by heating the resin material up to a sintering temperature thereof while keeping the elastic rubber layer below its durable temperature, wherein the heating is effected by dielectric heating to heat the resin material up to a higher temperature than that of the rubber layer.

Abstract: A tetrafluoroethylene polymer tube which is in a porous form composed of continuous pores and has heat-shrinkability in a radial direction or both radial direction and longitudinal direction of the tube, and a process for producing the same comprising applying pressure into inside of a tetrafluoroethylene polymer tube formed by paste extrusion molding a powder of the tetrafluoroethylene polymer and then sintered while heating the same to a temperature of not higher than the melting initiation temperature of the tetrafluoroethylene polymer to expand the tube to a radial direction only or both radial direction and longitudinal direction of the tube, and then cooling the tube in a pressurized state.

Abstract: A method for extruding, stretching and sintering polytetrafluoroethylene in a single pass operation to form tubular articles of low density, low matrix tensile strength, sintered polytetrafluoroethylene and articles such as electric cable having low density, low matrix tensile strength sintered polytetrafluoroethylene insulation applied about a conductor by such method. A high reduction ratio rating polytetrafluoroethylene powder with a lubricant is extruded by an extruder having a low reduction ratio, and the extrudate is heated to remove the lubricant and is stretched prior to sintering of the polytetrafluoroethylene tube which is held in its previously stretched state during sintering.

Abstract: A shaped article composed of an at least biaxially orientated tetrafluoroethylene polymer of ultrahigh molecular weight, which has a draw ratio of at least 3.0, a specific gravity of at least 1.8 and an orientation release stress at 200.degree. C. of at least 5 Kg/cm.sup.2. The shaped article has excellent creep resistant and gas barrier properties, and can advantageously be utilized as a sealant, a lining material, a bearing pad, a sliding pad or the like. The shaped article may be produced by compressing a preformed sheet of a tetrafluoroethylene polymer at a temperature of from 170.degree. to 400.degree. C., under such conditions that plug flow of the polymer is produced, followed by cooling in the compressed state.

Abstract: A method of attaching a plastic hub member to the proximal end of a Teflon-lined thermoplastic tubular catheter so as to prevent delamination of the Teflon lining at the site of the attachment. The thermoplastic outer layer of the tubular catheter is removed in a grinding operation for a predetermined distance from the proximal end of the tube to expose a short length of the Teflon lining. Next, a spinning forming tool is forced against the proximal end of the tubular catheter causing the exposed Teflon lining to be rolled back over the outer surface of the thermoplastic tube. Next, the proximal end of the catheter is inserted into the bore of the hub and because the Teflon layer has been rolled over the end portion of the tubular catheter, it is trapped against an internal flange formed in the catheter hub when the hub is adhesively bonded to the exterior of the thermoplastic layer and prevented from delaminating and possibly occluding the lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: A method of producing a plain bearing shell with shock-absorbing anti-friction coating consisting in placing a blank (1) in the form of a compressed tangle of metal wire helices into a die (2), overlaying the blank (1) with a sheet (3) of fluoroplastic, heating the blank (1) and the sheet (3) to 220.degree.-260.degree. C., punching them under a pressure of 100-150 MPa with a time delay of 4-6 min, and cooling.

Abstract: A method of continuous molding a rod-like product includes forming an uncured rod-like molding by passing reinforcing fibers impregnated with uncured thermosetting resin through a squeezing die having a predetermined shape. Molten thermoplastic fluororesin is extruded in a ring shape to enclose the rod-like molding. A sheathing layer of the thermoplastic resin is formed by causing the thermoplastic resin to come into contact with the outer periphery of the uncured rod-like molding and by cooling and solidifying the thermoplastic resin. The uncured rod-like molding and the sheathing layer are introduced into a heated tank thereby hardening the thermosetting resin. The sheathing layer is stripped from the molding to form a rod-like product having a surface of fiber reinforced thermosetting resin.

Abstract: Production of coagulated dispersion grades of PTFE using an aqueous emulsion polymerization process which employs an initiator system comprising disuccinic acid peroxide and ammonium sulphite, the latter being added during the course of the polymerization. The resulting polymer can be fabricated into porous products of improved properties.

Abstract: A porous polytetrafluoroethylene material produced by forming a mixture of an adequate amount of a liquid lubricant and polytetrafluoroethylene fine powder having an average molecular weight of at least 6,000,000, an amorphous index larger than 0.1 and a number average primary particle size of 0.1 to 0.8 microns, and a clear endothermic peak at a temperature of 347.+-.3.degree. C. and an another endothermic peak or shoulder at a temperature between 330.degree. C. and the temperature of said clear endothermic peak on a crystalline melting chart recorded by a differential scanning calorimeter, removing the lubricant to obtain an unsintered PTFE material and expanding the unsintered polytetrafluoroethylene material at least monoaxially at a temperature higher than the melting point of polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of impregnating into a porous metal matrix mounted on a backing a PTFE based composition wherein the PTFE based composition is mounted on a layer of supporting material so as to form a tape to assist in carrying it to and forcing it into the porous metal matrix, whereupon the layer of supporting material is removed. In one embodiment, the present invention may be in the form of a composite bearing material having a metal backing supporting a PTFE filled porous metal matrix of bronze or other copper alloys and a surface layer above the porous metal matrix of just the PTFE based composition.

Abstract: Porous, fibrous structures comprising polytetrafluoroethylene fibers in a fluorocarbon binder are prepared by laying down a stabilized dispersion of the fibers, stabilizing agent, and liquid carrier on a support, removing at least a portion of a liquid carrier, preferably drying the laydown, applying an emulsion of a fluorocarbon binder to the laydown and curing the fluorocarbon binder. The resulting structures have void volumes of from about 40 to about 99 percent, strengths of from about 200 to about 6,000 grams per inch of width, and air pressure drops of from about 0.0025 to about 0.1 inch of water at a flow rate of 28 standard cubic feet per minute per square foot of the fibrous structure.

Abstract: A process for the production of PTFE porous membranes is provided wherein a PTFE preform is prepared by compression molding a PTFE molding powder of 1-90 .mu.m obtained by suspension polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene, the preform is sintered at a temperature above 327.degree. C., followed by skiving the heated preform into a film form. The thus-obtained film is heat treated at a temperature above 327.degree. C., the heat treated film is slowly cooled at a cooling rate of less than 70.degree. C./hr so as to adjust the crystallinity of PTFE in the sintered film to 60-75% and the film is stretched either uniaxially or biaxially to 1.3 to 6.5 times while heating at a temperature of 100.degree.-320.degree. C.

Abstract: An elastomeric optical fiber comprising a core made of an elastomer with rubbery elasticity and a cladding surrounding the core and having low attenuation of light transmission is produced by a method comprising flowing down a liquid polymer for the core with cross-linking it, and simultaneously with or after the formation of the core, providing the cladding around the core.

Abstract: A process for producing a polytetrafluoroethylene porous film having excellent mechanical strength wherein pores have a substantially perfect circle and it is possible to uniformly control its pore size to a predetermined size. The porous film is obtained by compression molding polytetrafluoroethylene resin molding powders obtained by a suspension polymerization method to prepare a preform, sintering said preform at a temperature of at least 327.degree. C., forming it into a film, resintering the film at a temperature of at least 327.degree. C., quenching it at a cooling rate of at least 70.degree. C. per hour to reduce the crystallinity of polytetrafluoroethylene to 55% or below, and thereafter stretching said film at a stretch ratio of from 1.3 to 6.5 while heating it to a temperature of from 100.degree. to 320.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for continuously vulcanizing hoses which comprises two steps: microwave vulcanization; and conventional vulcanization by heat conduction through a heating medium. A layer of heat-resistant synthetic resin which has a melting point higher than the vulcanizing temperature is provided over the outer periphery of a rubber hose in a uniform thickness. This layer is in close contact with the hose but not adherent thereto. After the resin layer is cooled and hardened, the rubber hose is heated and cured in a microwave vulcanizing tank before being subjected to vulcanization by heat conduction through a heating medium in an ordinary vulcanizing tank. After completion of vulcanization, the layer of synthetic resin is peeled off and removed.

Abstract: A lysimeter for collecting soil water which is truly representative of the soil water contained in the soil at selected locations. The lysimeter contains a chamber and a filter section which is a rigid, porous fluoroplastic and through which moisture from the soil surrounding the lysimeter may pass into the chamber. The invention includes the rigid porous thermoplastic resin, a process for making the resin and a process for using the lysimeter to recover soil moisture in the lysimeter chamber.

Abstract: High strength, flexible compositions with improved mechanical properties at elevated temperatures for wire insulation coatings and other shaped articles used in hostile environments are disclosed, consisting of a high temperature fluorocarbon polymer, such as an ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer or the like, and from about 1% wt. to about 50% wt. of a polyvinylidene fluoride compound.

Abstract: A gas diffusion composite electrode is disclosed which is suitable for use in combination with an electrically conductive current collector. The electrode comprises an electrochemically active, porous and heterogeneous layer containing (1) an interconnected, hydrophilic island material comprising a blend of a major amount of an electrically conductive, particulate material, such as carbon black, in combination with an electrochemically active catalyst, and a minor amount of a hydrophobic polymer in combination with (2) a hydrophobic matrix material consisting essentially of a hydrophobic polymer rendered substantially porous by removal of a pore-forming ingredient. Methods of preparing the heterogeneous layer and the composite electrode are also disclosed.

Abstract: A porous catalyst matrix used for the decomposition of aqueous hypochlorite solutions is disclosed along with the process for its use. The catalyst is prepared by sintering a powdered mixture of a particular metal oxide or hydroxide and a thermoplastic polyolefin or halogenated polyolefin.