Features of Combined Solid-Phase Extrusion Technology, Structure and Property Formation of Fluoropolymer-Based Nanocomposites

Abstract

The features of the implementation of the two methods for polymer solid-phase extrusion in a single process cycle as a main instrument for structural modification of polymer systems are considered in this paper. The results of the related research of new methods for obtaining fluoropolymer-based nanocompisites from a gas phase medium are also given as well as the estimation of their performance properties. The work is focused on polytetrafluorethylene-based nanocompisites including metal and ceramic nanoparticles and ultrafine polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), obtained by molecular gas phase mixing. The choice of this polymer is not accidental. Despite its unique physico-chemical properties (its chemical resistance is superior to all other synthetic polymers), the manufacture of PTFE-based products is very hard as the polymer is insoluble and immobile at higher temperatures. So it is actual to develop methods and technologies for its processing. The following methods are used to study performance properties of polymer composites: determination of the specific rate of energy absorption depending on the temperature of samples in the mode of differential scanning calorimetry, measurement of destructive stress value in the cross section of given and modified samples, determination of heat resistance and orientation release stress by charting isometric heat, determination of heat conductivity and thermal diffusivity, estimation of wear resistance under attrition. This research results allowed us to estimate the technological and operational characteristics of the samples used. This led us to the understanding of the nature and impact of the proposed solid-phase method of processing on the structure of PTFE-based polymeric materials and the possibility of regulating their properties. The comparative analysis of the proposed method and traditional methods for processing polymer composites is done. Ways for the practical use of the proposed combined solid-phase instrument and method of the extrusion of multicomponent polymer systems were considered. Further development and adaptation of the proposed method of solid-phase processing of polymeric materials to the modern conditions of domestic and foreign industries are planned.