Abstract: A system for continuously processing PTFE by irradiation and grinding includes a processing vessel having first and second horizontally adjacent agitators in first and second transversely adjacent vessel portions. The bottom of the vessel has a step between the portions whereat heated air is injected for agitating and grinding the PTFE.

Abstract: A method for irradiating and modifying high molecular weight organic polymers with high energy radiation so that the radiation impinges only in a distinct pattern which is less than the width of the polymer so as to cause controlled chain scission and continuity in molecular weight distribution. The method improves the flow rate and millability of the polymers.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved method and apparatus for non-contact quantum mechanical heating of thermoplastic fibers by resonant energy absorption of laser energy by the fiber. In one embodied form, the unique method for continuous heating of thermoplastic fibers comprises the steps of: a) preparing a thermoplastic synthetic fiber for heat treatment; b) illuminating the fiber with a beam of radiation from a carbon monoxide continuous wave laser beam of resonant frequency for the prescribed fiber being treated; c) traversing the fiber to be treated across the path of the laser beam in a direction perpendicular to the beam of radiation from the laser source; d) adjusting the rate of traversement of the fiber to maintain the temperature of the thermoplastic fiber within a temperature range of about five percent below the melting point of the thermoplastic fiber to continuously heat the fiber by resonant energy absorption of the laser beam.

Abstract: A composition comprises a blend of (a) a first crystalline fluoroplastic which is an ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, in an amount between 30 and 70 weight %; (b) a second crystalline fluoroplastic which is a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride, in an amount between 30 and 65 weight %; and (c) a fluorinated thermoplastic elastomer which is a block copolymer having at least one elastomeric segment comprising tetrafluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride, and hexafluoropropylene repeat units in a mole ratio 45-90:5-50:0-35 and at least one nonelastomeric segment comprising tetrafluoroethylene and ethylene repeat units, in an amount between 5 and 25 weight %. The fluorinated thermoplastic elastomer acts as a compatibilizer for the two fluoroplastics. The composition exhibits improved flexibility, tensile strength, and/or elongation.

Abstract: A polymer has at least one photoactive site and more than one perfluorocyclobutane group. New monomers containing photoactive sites or photoactive precursors and at least one perfluorovinyl group are useful for making such polymers. Processes of making such polymers and the monomers from which they are made are disclosed. The polymers are useful in coatings, photoresists, and the like.

Abstract: Modified PTFE is produced by exposing a starting PTFE to an ionizing radiation for a total dose of at least 100 kGy in the absence of oxygen at a temperature not lower than the crystal melting point of the starting PTFE. The thus modified PTFE is improved in radiation resistance and has rubber characteristics.

Abstract: A lubricious polymeric composition which is stable toward sterilizing radiation includes a semicrystalline polyolefin of narrow molecular weight distribution having incorporated therein a liquid mobilizing additive, a radiation stabilizing amount of a hindered amine, a lubricating amount of an erucic acid derivative and a clarifying amount of a sorbitol derivative. The invention includes a sterilized article fabricated from the composition and a method to radiation sterilize the article.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a resin composition which can provide an insulating resin having excellent heat resistance and flame retardance after curing and showing a low dielectric constant.A fluorine-containing photo-setting resin composition comprising a polymer containing fluorine or a fluorine-containing group represented by general formula [II]: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are selected from the group consisting of H, F, CH.sub.3 and CF.sub.3 ; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are selected from the group consisting of CH.sub.2 and CF.sub.2 ; x and y show 0 to 4 and m shows 30 to 1000, and a photopolymerization initiator, which is a solid at ambient temperature, melts between 100.degree. and 150.degree. C., has a melt viscosity of not greater than 10.sup.6 poise and is photocurable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the simultaneous irradiation, grinding, agitation and air cooling of fluoropolymers, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, produce dry lubricants. An air classifier is used to extract particles of a uniform size during the process.

Abstract: Cross-linked macromolecular products having the structure of perfluoropolyethers in which the cross-linking is due to C--C links between carbon atoms of different perfluoropolyether chains, said cross-linked products being obtained by treatment by means of U.V. radiations of the corresponding perfluoropolyethers containing at least three groups: ##STR1## arranged along the chain and at one or at both ends; the C--C link of cross-linking coming from the removal of two groups: ##STR2## of different perfluoropolyether chains.

Abstract: A molding is produced by thermoplastic shaping of at least one partially crystalline polymer which comprises, exclusively, polymerized units of vinylidene fluoride and other fluorine-containing monomers which contain only one C.dbd.C double bond, contains 20 to 50% by weight of polymerized units of vinylidene fluoride and has a melt index of at least 1 g/10 min at 250.degree. C. and 11 kg load, without addition of substances which contain polymerizable double bonds, and the molding is subsequently treated with a minimum dose of 50 kGY of ionizing rays at a minimum dose rate of 2 Gy/s. Moldings are thus obtained in a simple manner which have good mechanical and chemical properties and exhibit no discoloration.

Abstract: A fluoroelastomer composition is disclosed, which comprises a mixture of 100 parts by weight of a tetrafluoroethyline-propylene copolymer, not smaller than 1 part by weight and smaller than 100 parts by weight of a vinylidene fluoride-fluoroolefin copolymer having a fluoroolefin content of 1 to 20 mol %, and a cross-linking agent, said mixture being cross-linked by irradiation with electron beams. The fluoroelastomer composition has a high mechanical strength and improved low temperature characteristics. When the content of the vinylidene fluoride-fluoroolefin copolymer is not smaller than 10 parts by weight and smaller than 100 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the tetrafluoroethylene-propylene copolymer the fluoroelastomer composition is suitable as a material for producing heat shrinkable tubes.

Abstract: A hydrophilic porous membrane has graft chains of a hydrophilic monomer formed on the surface of a hydrophobic porous membrane so as to impart to the surface perfect hydrophilicity such that the produced membrane, when wetted, exhibits a swelling ratio of not more than 1% and a bubble point in the range of 0.5 to 8 kg/cm.sup.2. The hydrophilic porous membrane is produced by irradiating the hydrophobic porous membrane with plasma, feeding the hydrophilic monomer in a gaseous state, and allowing the hydrophilic monomer to be graft polymerized on the surface of the porous membrane. A plasma separator is obtained by using the aforementioned hydrophilic porous membrane as a plasma separation membrane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for radiation degradation processing of polytetrafluoroethylene makes use of a simultaneous irradiation, agitation and cooling. The apparatus is designed to make efficient use of radiation in the processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for radiation degradation processing of polytetrafluoroethylene makes use of a simultaneous irradiation, agitation and cooling. The apparatus is designed to make efficient use of radiation in the processing.

Abstract: Radiation-sensitive elements, e.g. printing plates, comprising a substrate having coated thereon a photosolubilizable composition comprising an alkali-soluble phenolic resin and an onium salt. The onium salt imparts a solvent resistance to the phenolic resin which is removed upon exposure to radiation thereby providing a solubility differential between exposed and unexposed areas of the composition.

Abstract: Melt-shapeable polymeric compositions comprising a first fluoropolymer of relatively low crystallinity, e.g. a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluorinated comonomer, and a second fluoropolymer of relatively high crystallinity, especially a fluoropolymer obtained by irradiating PTFE or another fluoropolymer which cannot be melt-shaped in the absence of other polymers. The weight ratio of the first to the second polymer is preferably 0.3:1 to 2.5:1. The compositions have a wide variety of uses, for example as insulating materials or, if they contain carbon black or another conductive filler, as PTC conductive polymers.

Abstract: Process of radiation graft polymerizing a fluorinated unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer to a fluoropolymeric permselective membrane in order to improve its performance when used in an electrolysis cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of a fluorine-containing compound having a carboxyl group, which comprises irradiating a fluorine-containing compound having a sulfonyl group with ultraviolet rays in the presence of a nitrogen compound.According to this process, a fluorine-containing compound having a carboxyl group can be prepared from a fluorine-containing compound having a sulfonyl group at a high efficiency very simply by one step.