Chemical crosslinking of polytetrafluoroethylene by fluorinated-pitch and its properties

Radiation-induced crosslinking of polytetrafluoroethylene [PIFE] has been established by the irradiation in its molten state under oxygen-free atmosphere. In this study, chemical crosslinking of PTFE has been demonstrated by using perfluoro-compound without any other catalyzed materials. Moreover, the characteristic properties of obtained materials have been measured by ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy, DSC analysis and TGA. The obtained materials show the good mechanical properties and low crystallinty compared with PTFE. By DSC analysis, it is found that the obtained materials are crosslinked through thermal chemical reaction by radiacal formation through the decomposition of perfluoro-compound.