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Post-irradiation grafting of tetrafluoroethylene at low temperatures. [Gamma rays]

Journal Article · · J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Chem. Ed.; (United States)

Low-temperature postirradiation grafting of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) to polyolefines and silicone elastomers was the subject of study. After preliminary dissolution of TFE in the polymer at 273/sup 0/K the system was slowly cooled to 77/sup 0/K. In this process a certain part of TFE in polyolefines (ethylene-propylene copolymer and polypropylene) is retained by the vitreous polymer matrix. When slowly heated after radiolysis at 77/sup 0/K this system shows graft polymerization of dissolved TFE after T/sub g/. The graft copolymer is soluble and its IR spectra contain absorption bands characteristic of polytetrafluoroethylene. In polydimethylsiloxane rubber (SKT) the dissolved TFE when frozen to 77/sup 0/K remains sorbed between the SKT crystallites rather than in a separate phase. When those radiolyzed samples are heated the graft-polymerization occurs primarily over the temperature range between the TFE and SKT melting points. The technique provides for 100 to 150% grafting of TFE. This method also permits grafting to silicone rubbers and to several other polymers and elastomers.

Research Organization:
Inst. of Chemical Physics, Moscow, USSR
OSTI ID:
6165969
Journal Information:
J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Chem. Ed.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Chem. Ed.; (United States) Vol. 19:9; ISSN JPLCA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English