Pyrolysis, polytetrafluoroethylene products

The first report of the cyclodimerization of fluorinated olefins was provided by Lewis and Naylor,3 working at E.I. DuPont de Nemours Co., in 1947. While studying the pyrolysis of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), the compound octa-fluorocyclobutane was isolated from the pyrolysis off-gas stream. The researchers identified the product and speculated that it was formed by the cyclodimerization... 

The vacuum pyrolysis of thin samples of polytetrafluoroethylene follows first-order kinetics with monomer as the major decomposition product in the temperature range from 360—510° C (Siegle, Muus, and Lin). The rate constant does not depend on either the molecular weight or the type of polymer and is characterized by an activation enthalpy of 83.0 kcal/mole and a frequency factor of 3 x 1019 sec-1. The melt viscosity decreases during pyrolysis. 

ANALYSIS OF VOLATILE PRODUCTS FROM PYROLYSIS OF POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES IN A VACUUM [255]... 

Waritz RS, Kwon BK. The inhalation toxicity of pyrolysis products of polytetrafluoroethylene heated below 500 degrees Centigrade. Am Indust Hygiene Assoc J. 1968 19-26. 

Polytetrafluoroethylene decomposition products Overexposures result in polymer fume fever, a disease with fiu-iike symptoms inciuding chills, fever, and cough. See also p 259. Produced by pyrolysis of Teflon and related materials. Perlsofluorobutylene and carbonyl fluoride are among the pyrolysis products. 

Arito, H. and Soda, R. (1977) Pyrolysis products of polytetrafluoroethylene and polyfluoroethylenepropylene with reference to inhalation toxicity. Ann. Occup. Hyg., 20, 247-255. 

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