Radiation induced terpolymerization of tetrafluoroethylene with propylene and n‐butyl vinyl ether in bulk

Abstract

AbstractTerpolymerization of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) with propylene (P) and n‐butyl vinyl ether (NBVE) induced by γ‐rays at room temperature at dose rate 5 × 105 rad/h and P/NBVE molar ratio from 49/1 to 10/40 was carried out. An alternating copolymerization between TFE and two α‐olefins was found to take place in this system, so that 50 mole % of TFE containing terpolymer is always formed at various monomer compositions. The terpolymer composition can be explained successfully by the treatment by a complex mechanism. The complex reactivity ratios of rI (TFE–complex) and rII (TFE‐NBVE complex) were calculated to be 0.5 and 0.6, respectively, assuming a complex mechanism. The polymerization rate and molecular weight increase with NBVE concentration in the monomer mixture. Colorless transparent rubber‐like polymers were obtained at each monomer composition. The glass transition temperature sharply decreases with NBVE concentration in the terpolymer but the thermal and chemical resistances of the terpolymer slightly decrease. Considering these results together with the mechanical properties it has been concluded that the 45/48/7 terpolymer of TFE/P/NBVE molar ratio is good as a practical elastomer useful at relatively low temperatures.