Abstract:
A process for stabilizing aqueous dispersions of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or co- and terpolymers of PTFE by adding a macromolecular species directly to the aqueous dispersion. Surprisingly, it has been observed that after the macromolecular species has been added to the dispersion of PTFE or co- and terpolymers of PTFE, the dispersions are very stable, do not readily coagulate, and remain stable even when subjected to freeze/melt cycles. The amount of macromolecular species which may be added may vary from about 0.1 wt. % to about 20.0 wt. %, for example, and suitable macromolecular species include polyacrylic acid (PAA), polyvinylalcohol (PVOH), polyethyleneimies (PEI), and polyethylene glycol (PEG), and others. The present method is particularly effective for stabilizing commercially available “unstabilized” aqueous dispersions of PTFE or co- and terpolymers of PTFE which do not include a surfactant or are substantially free of surfactant.
Abstract:
Fluoropolymer particles are subjected to high energy treatment so as to change the chemical functionality of the particle surfaces and thereby change the surface characteristics of the particles. These characteristics improve the usefulness of these particles and can make them highly dispersible, even in water. The surface treated fluoropolymer particles are subject to a chemical crosslinking process, or alternatively, are subject to a high energy treatment process, and may optionally be pretreated with a macromolecular chemical species prior to the foregoing processes. The high energy treatment can be used to both surface treat the fluoropolymer particles and in some embodiments, may also cause chain scission of the fluoropolymers to thereby reduce the molecular weight of the fluoropolymer particles. The surface treated fluoropolymer particles can be used to form fluoropolymer coatings on various substrates.
Abstract:
Fluoropolymer particles are subjected to high energy treatment so as to change the chemical functionality of the particle surfaces and thereby change the surface characteristics of the particles. These characteristics improve the usefulness of these particles and can make them highly dispersible, even in water. The surface treated fluoropolymer particles are subject to a chemical crosslinking process, or alternatively, are subject to a high energy treatment process, and may optionally be pretreated with a macromolecular chemical species prior to the foregoing processes. The high energy treatment can be used to both surface treat the fluoropolymer particles and in some embodiments, may also cause chain scission of the fluoropolymers to thereby reduce the molecular weight of the fluoropolymer particles. The surface treated fluoropolymer particles can be used to form fluoropolymer coatings on various substrates.
Abstract:
Fluoropolymer powder particles which are surface treated so as to change the chemical functionality on their surfaces which in turn changes the surfaces characteristics. These characteristics improve the usefulness of these powders and can make them wettable. The surface treated fluoropolymer particles are subject to an atmospheric plasma treatment process, and preferably pretreated with a macromolecular chemical species prior to the atmospheric plasma treatment. The atmospheric plasma treatment enhances adhesion to the powder surface and can also enhance cross-linking of the macromolecular chemical species. The surface treated fluoropolymer powders can be used to form fluoropolymer coatings on various substrates.
Abstract:
Fluoropolymer particles are subjected to high energy treatment so as to change the chemical functionality of the particle surfaces and thereby change the surface characteristics of the particles. These characteristics improve the usefulness of these particles and can make them highly dispersible, even in water. The surface treated fluoropolymer particles are subject to a chemical crosslinking process, or alternatively, are subject to a high energy treatment process, and may optionally be pretreated with a macromolecular chemical species prior to the foregoing processes. The high energy treatment can be used to both surface treat the fluoropolymer particles and in some embodiments, may also cause chain scission of the fluoropolymers to thereby reduce the molecular weight of the fluoropolymer particles. The surface treated fluoropolymer particles can be used to form fluoropolymer coatings on various substrates.