Polytetrafluoroethylene Paste Extrusion: A Fibrillation Model and Its Relation to Mechanical Properties

Abstract

The effects of process conditions on fibrillation and mechanical properties of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) paste extrudates have been studied using capillary rheometers having barrels of different diameter and equipped with capillary dies of various designs. The tensile strength of PTFE extrudates is measured as a function of apparent shear rate (flow rate), reduction ratio (cross sectional area of barrel to that of die), contraction angle, and diameter of the barrel. To describe the effects of die design on the quality of the final product, a basic phenomenological mathematical model has been developed. The model consists of a simple equation that explains fibril formation, due to the compression of PTFE resins, plus a kinetic equation, which is coupled with the “radial-flow” hypothesis to predict the structure and the tensile strength of extrudates. The model predictions are found to be consistent with tensile strength measurements and SEM micrographs of the PTFE extrudates.