Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Reinforcement with fluoroplastic additives

Journal Article · · Rubber World; (United States)
OSTI ID:5340837

The use of high molecular weight polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as a reinforcing additive to improve the tear strength of elastomers was studied in silicone rubber by the mid-1950s and in fluoroelastomers by the late-1960s. Although the PTFE is added as a powder, the shear developed during compounding into an elastomer fibrillates the power into a continuous network of nodes and fibers. This network structure effectively reinforces elastomers but it also leads to distortion of finished parts and unacceptably high hardness and modulus of vulcanizates. A new high molecular weight TFE/HFP fluoroplastic micropowder has recently been developed (Teflon MP1500, Du Pont) which forms short fibers, ribbons or platelets when compounded with sufficient shear into elastomers. The controlled structure developed during compounding allows high levels of incorporation of the micropowder into elastomers with uniform dispersion and results in significant improvements in tear strength and abrasion resistance, as well as reduced coefficients of friction.

OSTI ID:
5340837
Journal Information:
Rubber World; (United States), Journal Name: Rubber World; (United States) Vol. 204:2; ISSN RUBWA; ISSN 0035-9572
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English