Polymer compounds mechanical strength

Copolymers of chlorotrifluoroethylene and ethylene were introduced by Allied Chemicals under the trade name Halar in the early 1970s. This is essentially a 1 1 alternating copolymer compounded with stabilising additives. The polymer has mechanical properties more like those of nylon than of typical fluoroplastic, with low creep and very good impact strength. Furthermore the polymers have very good chemical resistance and electrical insulation properties and are resistant to burning. They may be injection moulded or formed into fibres. 

Poly(p-phenylene) also fascinated many workers due to its cheap cost, good mechanical strength and high stability for use in electrochemical systems. In anodic oxidation and over-oxidation studies in aqueous acidic solutions of different nucleophilicity by cyclic voltammetry, two peaks were observed. The reversible first peak was attributed to poly(p-phenylene) oxidation and formation of some insertion compound, whereas the strong and irreversible second peak at higher potentials was attributed to over-oxidation of the polymer [291] and the polymer anode started degrading at acid concentrations below 13 M [292], Accordingly, the microanalytical, IR spectroscopic and acid-base titration studies showed evidence of the formation of aromatic dicarboxylic acid, phenolic compound and carbondioxide via a p-benzoquinone intermediate [291],... 

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