Properties of micrometer-thick plasma-polymerized tetrafluoroethylene films

Journal Article · Thu Aug 15 04:00:00 UTC 1991 · Journal of Applied Physics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.349428· OSTI ID:5480134

Butler, M A; Buss, R J; Galuska, A ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA)

Several physical properties of thin plasma-polymerized films have been measured using a new fiber-optic-based technique. Films of plasma-polymerized tetrafluoroethylene (PPTFE) deposited on the end of an optical fiber form an optical cavity, the reflectivity of which is very sensitive to the film thickness. The fiber is used as an {ital in} {ital situ} monitor of the deposition rate in the plasma and, after removal from the plasma, the mechanical properties of the film can be measured. With this measurement technique the thermal expansion of the film normal to its surface as well as the swelling of the film when exposed to an array of organic solvents have been determined. A significantly smaller thermal-expansion coefficient and larger degree of swelling are observed relative to bulk PTFE. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements show that the fluorocarbon chains are highly branched and have a fluorine-to-carbon ratio of 1.45. These results suggest that the plasma-polymerized films are not crystalline and are heavily cross linked.

• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5480134
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics; (United States) Vol. 70:4; ISSN 0021-8979; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360603* -- Materials-- Properties
440600 -- Optical Instrumentation-- (1990-)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
EXPANSION
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLYMERIZATION
POLYMERS
REFLECTIVITY
SANDIA LABORATORIES
SPECTROSCOPY
SURFACE PROPERTIES
THERMAL EXPANSION
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US DOE
US ERDA
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