Determination of optimal technological parameters for processing fluoropolymers

Abstract

This work presents the main stages of the technological process of processing fluoropolymers (a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene with ethylene and polyvinylidene fluoride) into products and defines their key processing parameters. Using thermomechanical and thermogravimetric analysis, it was determined that the maximum and minimum processing temperatures of the investigated fluoropolymers are 2400C and 4300C for the copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene with ethylene, and 1500C and 4200C for polyvinylidene fluoride, respectively. The optimal processing temperature of the studied fluoropolymers was determined using an indirect method of examining the influence of this factor on the physical and mechanical properties of the polymers. It was established that the optimal processing temperature is 2700C for the copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene with ethylene, and 1800C for polyvinylidene fluoride. X-ray structural studies of the fluoropolymers confirmed the assumption that increasing their processing temperature within the studied intervals leads to improved physical and mechanical properties due to changes in the structure of the polymers (increased crystallinity). The optimal pressing pressure for the investigated fluoropolymers was determined through studies of their main physical and mechanical properties, and it was established to be 40 MPa for fluoropolymers based on the copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene with ethylene and polyvinylidene fluoride.