Polytetrafluoroethylene oxide, stability

The thermal stability of polytetrafluoroethylene oxide and PTFE have been compared under the same conditions by Donato et al. [263] between 450 and 600°C. The decomposition rate has a maximum at 628°C for the oxide and at 568°C for PTFE. The activation energy for the first-order degradations are 98 kcal mole"1 between 8.5 and 85% for the oxide polymer and 85 kcal mole-1 between 523 and 571°C for PTFE. The rate of weight loss is less than 1.2% per min for both polymers below T = 550°C for the oxide and T = 590°C for PTFE. The oxide, however, loses weight below 390° C whereas PTFE does not. The main components of the volatile material are trifluoroacetyl fluoride, carbonyl fluoride and tetrafluoroethylene. An end-initiated thermal degradation with small zip length is proposed. 

PTFE Fluoroplastic n Polytetrafluoroethylene is prepared by free radical polymerization of tetrafluor-oethylene in aqueous systems with persulphate or peroxide initiators to give granular or dispersion polymers. The polymers have exceptionally high thermal and thermo-oxidative stability and are completely solvent resistant. PTFEs are tough, relatively flexible materials which have outstandingly good electrical insulation properties as well as unusually low coefficients of friction. 

Fluorocarbon Resins. This term includes polytetrafluoroethylene, polymers of chloro-trifluoroethylene (fluorothene), vinylidene fluoride (H2C CF2)j hexafluoropropylene (C3Ffl) and similar compds. These polymers are thermoplastic, inert to chemicals and oxidation. They have high heat stability, retain their useful props at both extremely low and high temps, have high electrical resistance to moisture. The materials are available as re sins, powders, and dispersions, and as films, sheets, tubes, rods and tapes. Some of them are rubber-like. Commercially available varieties are Kel-F , Teflon , Fluorel , Aclar and "Halon ... 

Fluorocarbon elastomers represent the largest group of fluoroelastomers. They have carbon-to-carbon linkages in the polymer backbone and a varied amount of fluorine in the molecule. In general, they may consist of several types of monomers poly-vinylidene fluoride (VDF), hexafluoropropylene (HFP), trifluorochloroethylene (CTFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE), perfluoromethylvinyl ether (PMVE), ethylene or propylene.212 Other types may contain other comonomers, e.g., 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluropropylene instead of HFP.213 Fluorocarbon elastomers exhibit good chemical and thermal stability and good resistance to oxidation. 

To predict the stability of fluorinated polymers in the atmosphere polluted with nitrogen oxides, the ratio of rates of peroxynitrates in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) by two mechanisms has been determined [19]. Chain peroxide radicals R 02 were obtained by photolysis of PTFE powder in a vacuum with the subsequent oxidation of fluoroalkyl macroradicals. The end peroxide radicals R 02 were generated by photolysis of the R 02 containing PTFE in the air. The exposure of PTFE samples containing chain or end peroxide macroradicals to NO2 results in decay of these radicals. The kinetics of the decay of peroxide radicals of both types is practically identical, and is likely to be determined by the rate of diffusion of NO into the... 

Materials used such as stifFer plastics can reduce hysteresis heating. Crystalline TPs for example (the popularly used acetal and nylon) can be stiffened by 25 to 50% with the addition of fillers and reinforcements. Others used include ABS, polycarbonates, polysulfones, phenylene oxides, polyurethanes, and thermoplastic polyesters. Additives, fillers, and reinforcements are used in plastics gears to meet different performance requirements (Chapter 1), Examples include glass fiber for added strength, and fibers, beads, and powders for reduced thermal expansion and improved dimensional stability. Other materials, such as molybdenum disulfide, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and silicones, may be added as lubricants to improve wear resistance. 

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