Process for making fluoropolymers

US5639837A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY · US

Inventors

• William B. Farnham · Hockessin, US
• Andrew Edward Feiring · Wilmington, US
• Bruce E. Smart · Wilmington, US
• Robert Clayton Wheland · Wilmington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 4, 1996
• Grant date: Jun 17, 1997
• Expiry date: Jun 4, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C08F14/18
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a process in which fluorine containing olefins are polymerized using an initiation system which is a combination of a fluoroaliphatic sulfinate or sulfinic acid and chlorate, bromate or hypochlorite ions. The resulting polymer contains fewer deleterious end groups and is more stable and/or easier to process. The polymers produced are useful as thermoplastics and elastomers.