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Pyrolysis of polytrifluoroethylene: Influence of gamma radiation and alkali treatment
Author(s) -
Straus S.,
Wall L. A.
Publication year - 1964
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760040113
Subject(s) - pyrolysis , materials science , acetone , volatilisation , alkali metal , polymer , swelling , irradiation , radiation , degradation (telecommunications) , thermal stability , thermal treatment , polymer chemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , chemistry , telecommunications , physics , quantum mechanics , computer science , nuclear physics
Pyrolysis in vacuum of gamma‐irradiated polytrifluoroethylene indicates increased rates of volatilization with increased dosage. At the higher radiation doses, the rate curves no longer show a maximum but resemble those previously obtained with branched polyethylenes. Studies of swelling with acetone indicate crosslinking increases with radiation dose. It is estimated that for each chain fracture caused by radiation there are approximately seven crosslinks formed. However, in addition to the crosslinks a branched structure is also being produced as evidenced by the character of the thermal degradation rate curves. Alkali treatment of the polymer sensitizes it towards dehydrofluorination and double bond formation. Subsequent rate and pyrolysis studies showed the formation of very stable residues, indicating a relatively greater thermal stability of the main chain.