Increased glass transition temperature with fluorination

Fluorinated poly(arylene edier)s are of special interest because of their low surface energy, remarkably low water absorption, and low dielectric constants. The bulk—CF3 group also serves to increase the free volume of the polymer, thereby improving various properties of polymers, including gas permeabilities and electrical insulating properties. The 6F group in the polymer backbone enhances polymer solubility (commonly referred to as the fluorine effect ) without forfeiture of die thermal stability. It also increases die glass transition temperature with concomitant decrease of crystallinity. 

Unfortunately, while fluorine level is increased from typically 66% to 70%, low-temperature flexibility is reduced with glass transition temperatures increasing from — 19°C to —7°C. This drop can be compensated by the substitution of HFP by PMVE (perfluoromethylvinyl ether) a more expensive monomer that improves low-temperature performance by about 15°C. 

The absorption of moisture critically affects other important resin properties, particularly those associated with low-dielectric and thermomechanical applications. Results of a 96-h boiling water immersion test are presented in Table 2.2. The moisture absorbed decreased substantially with fluoromethylene chain length from n = 3 to n = 6, followed by only modest decreases for n = 8 and 10. This latter behavior was somewhat unexpected and may be the effect of decreased cross-link density counteracting the increased fluorine content. These 100°C measurements are just above the glass transition and the situation may be different at room temperature. These measurements are in progress. 

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