Fluorine-containing plasticizers

The inability to process PTFE by conventional thermoplastics techniques has nevertheless led to an extensive search for a melt-processable polymer but with similar chemical, electrical, non-stick and low-friction properties. This has resulted in several useful materials being marketed, including tetrafluoro-ethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (Figure 13.1(d)), and, most promisingly, the copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoropropyl vinyl ether. Other fluorine-containing plastics include poly(vinyl fluoride) and polymers and copolymers based on CTFE. 

Table 13.2 Consumption of fluorine-containing plastics for Western Europe 1991...

Some indication of the relative importance of the various applications is given by the consumption breakdown for fluorine-containing plastics in Western Europe in 1991 is Table 13.2). 

Other fluorine-containing plastics These materials, in general, attempt to compromise between the exceptional end-use properties of p.t.f.e. and the processability of ordinary thermoplastics. Examples include polychlor-trifluorethylene, tetrafluorethylene-hexafluorpropylene copolymers (FEP resins) and polyvinylidene fluoride. Polyvinyl fluoride is available in film form (Tedlar) with excellent weathering resistance. 

Although the technological basis of all fluorine-containing plastics and most elastomers continues to be the free radical polymerization of fluoroolefins, which themselves are based on the vastly greater fluorocarbon refrigerant industry, important advances have been made in the past two decades These include primarily the production of polymers that are more resistant to degradation by heat, oxidation, bases, and solvents, as well as polymers that are more easily processable, that is, able to be converted mto their final forms for use, whether by thermoplastic or thermoset processes [1,2,3,4]... 

The above groups contain plasticizers which have several representatives of similar chemical structure. There still are plasticizers in common use or that were invented for specific purposes. These can be grouped as follows biphenyl derivatives,calcium stearate,carbon dioxide, difurans, " fluorine-containing plasticizers, " hydroxyben-zoic acid esters, " isocyanate adducts, " " malonates, " multi-ring aromatic... 

B. K Mandal, R. Eftler, J. Eluor. Chem. 2005, 126, 845-848. New fluorine-containing plasticized low lattice energy lithium salt for plastic batteries. 

---