Abstract

Fluorocarbon elastomers are synthetic polymers that are designed for demanding service applications in hostile environments characterized by broad temperature ranges and/or contact with chemicals, oils, and fuels. They are copolymers that may contain two or more of the following monomers: vinylidene fluoride, hexafluoropropylene, tetrafluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, perfluoro(vinyl ethers), and propylene. These polymers are characterized by their excellent thermal stability and very good chemical and compression-set resistance.

The fluorocarbon elastomers are typically prepared by high pressure, free-radical, aqueous emulsion polymerization techniques. The resulting dried polymer gums can be supplied as is or contain an incorporated cure system comprising an organic onium cure accelerator and a bisphenol cross-linking agent. Compounding of fluorocarbon elastomers involves the addition of curatives, if not present, fillers and acid acceptors on conventional rubber mixing equipment. The compounded elastomer can be converted to O-rings, bonded seals, hoses, diaphragms, etc, using conventional rubber processing equipment. Principal uses are in high temperature chemical-resistant elastomer sealing devices used in the following industries: automotive/off-the-road, industrial pollution control, petroleum/petrochemical, hydraulics/pneumatic, and aircraft/aerospace.