Fluorination of polyethylene films

Abstract

AbstractFluorination of HDPE films (100 and 1800 μm thick) and LDPE films (100 μm thick) with elemental fluorine is described. The films were fluorinated at temperatures between 40°C and 100°C. The degree of fluorination was increased by increasing the concentration of fluorine in the F2/N2 gas mixture. A diffusion‐controlled process was indicated by plotting the measured depth of fluorination against the square root of fluorination time. The chemistry of the process was studied by ESCA measurements or by energy dispersive analyses in the scanning electron microscope.