Functionalization of irradiated PTFE micropowder with methacryl‐ or hydroxy groups for chemical coupling of PTFE with different matrix polymers

Abstract

AbstractThis article describes the modification of electron beam irradiated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material (500 kGy) into a functionalised micropowder, bearing methacrylate or hydroxy groups. The aim of this work is to achieve compatibilization of modified PTFE in a variety of matrix polymers, such as elastomers and duromers. It is well known that irradiation of high molecular PTFE in the presence of air, followed by annealing with water vapor, leads to a functionalization of the PTFE micropowder, containing carboxylic acid groups. For sufficient stability of the coupling of the functional groups that are to be introduced via these acid groups, a transformation into amide groups is necessary, and can be performed by the reaction of the electron beam irradiated PTFE with ε‐caprolactam in the first step. The corresponding acid‐terminated PTFE–oligoamide is then reacted with functional epoxy monomers, like glycidol or glycidyl methacrylate, to obtain the functionalised PTFE micropowders (PTFE‐OH and PTFE‐MA). As the number of COOH groups in the electron beam irradiated PTFE is not very high, IR‐spectroscopic identification of the functional groups is not very distinct. To find evidence for the existence/reactivity of the additionally introduced functional groups, model reactions have been performed, where PTFE‐MA is reacted with methyl methacrylate/AIBN. IR spectroscopic analysis of the reaction products shows characteristic absorption bands of PMMA, indicating successful graft polymerization of PMMA to PTFE‐MA. For PTFE‐OH, reaction with cyclohexylisocyanate leads to a bisurethane adduct, which shows a strong urethane absorption in the IR spectrum. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2819–2824, 2006