Synthesis of polytetrafluoroethylene based olefinic copolymer by gamma radiation grafting

Abstract

High speed extrusion of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) is limited by processes shortcoming known as ‘melt fracture’ and ‘sharkskin’, which are surface defect of the extruded polymer. This defect results in a product with a rough surface that lacks luster and with poor surface properties. The fluoropolymer processing additives are used to eliminate the surface defect by coating the die wall and inducing slip at the coated fluoropolymer surface/LLDPE interface. The aim of this study was to obtain a recycled polytetrafluoroethylene polymer grafted with an olefin that could improve the extrudability of the LLDPE. The copolymer was obtained by irradiating recycled PTFE in an inert atmosphere followed by grafting an olefinic monomer the polymeric matrix (PTFE). After a certain time of contact, the copolymer was heat treated to allow recombination and elimination of the radicals, both in a reactive and/or inert atmosphere. The olefinic monomer used was 1,3-butadiene. The 1,3-butadiene monomer was found to be more effective with respect to grafting. The specimens were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermogravimetry (DTG). The obtained copolymer (0.2–2.0 wt%) was mixed with LLDPE. The rheological properties of the mixture were determined with a torque rheometer. The results indicated that the developed process rendered a copolymer which when added to LLDPE, improved the extrusion process and eliminated the defect ‘melt fracture’.