Polytetrafluoroethylene bond breaking

It may be noted that the strength of the CF bond and the tendency of polytetrafluoroethylene to degrade rather than cross-link on irradiation suggests the breaking of a CC rather than a CF bond as a likely source of radicals in this polymer. 

If a polymer is heated to the point where chemical bonds begin to break, radicals will normally be formed, rather than ions. Thus if chain scission takes place to produce free radicals at temperatures above T, rapid radical depolymerization, with production of monomer, is expected. This rapid depropagation is often termed unzipping. Table 1 shows some typical values for Tc for common polymers. They range widely from quite close to room temperature for polyacetal to close to 600°C for polytetrafluoroethylene. In reality, side reactions, which are discussed... 

Teeth n The resultant surface irregularities or projections formed by the breaking of filaments or strings which may form when adhesive-bonded substrates are separated. Teflon te- flan n l) A polymer of fluorinated ethylene. Very inert, and in the form of a film or an impreg-nator, used for its heat-resistant and non-sticking properties. (2) Trade name for fluorocarbon resins, including polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluoropropylene resin and copolymers, manufactured by DuPont. 

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