The invention relates to very high melt flow fluoropolymer compositions, having low melt viscosities. The fluoropolymers have low molecular weights of from 5 kDa to 200 kDa and melt viscosities of less than 2 kilopoise (kP) at 232° C. and 100 s.sup.−1. One use for the high melt flow fluoropolymers is in the formation of very small diameters fibers, useful for melt-blown non-woven materials. Fiber diameters of less than 9 microns, and preferably 500 to 2000 nm can be produced.

The present invention pertains to vinylidene fluoride copolymers comprising recurring units derived from hydrophilic (meth)acrylic monomers and from perfluoroalkylvinylether monomers having improved flexibility, to films made thereof and to processes for the manufacture of these films.

Provided herein are copolymers that comprise copolymerized residues of a perfluorotrivinyltriazine monomer of Formula 1. ##STR00001## Preferred R.sub.f groups include, without limitation, —(CF.sub.2).sub.n— (n=1-6); —(CF.sub.2).sub.m—[OCF(CF.sub.3)CF.sub.2].sub.p— (m=1-4, p=1-4); and —[(CF(CF.sub.3)—O).sub.x—(CF.sub.2).sub.k]— (x=1-3, k=1-5). Preferred comonomers for copolymerization with the perfluorotrivinyltriazine monomer (1) include, without limitation, tetrafluoroethylene (TFE); vinylidene fluoride (VF2); hexafluoropropylene (HFP); vinyl fluoride (VF); EVE; PSEPVE; perfluoro-(long chain vinyl ethers); E; P; PFBE; PEVE; EVE-OH; EVE-P; PDD; and the cure-site monomers BTFB, ITFB, 8-CNVE, 8-SAVE, and the like. Also provided are methods of synthesizing the copolymers and articles comprising the copolymers.

The present invention pertains to a method for manufacturing a melt-processible fluoropolymer, to the melt-processible fluoropolymer obtainable by the process and to uses of the melt-processible fluoropolymer in various applications.

Co-cured blends of fluoroelastomers of tetrafluoroethylene-propylene copolymer with cure site monomer and terpolymers of Vinylidene fluoride (VDF), Hexafluoropropylene (HFP) and Tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) with peroxide as initiator and coagent TAIC as crosslinker show improved curing performance, improved mechanical properties and improved compression set as well. The co-cured fluoroelastomers show improved chemical resistance to the solvent aging systems and better retention of mechanical properties after aging at high temperature in the solvents system.

Co-cured blends of fluoroelastomers of tetrafluoroethylene-propylene copolymer with cure site monomer and terpolymers of Vinylidene fluoride (VDF), Hexafluoropropylene (HFP) and Tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) with peroxide as initiator and coagent TAIC as crosslinker show improved curing performance, improved mechanical properties and improved compression set as well. The co-cured fluoroelastomers show improved chemical resistance to the solvent aging systems and better retention of mechanical properties after aging at high temperature in the solvents system.

A copolymer comprising trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene units and vinylidene fluoride units, and methods of making the same. A method of preventing biofouling on an article of manufacture, comprising applying such copolymer to the article of manufacture. A process of preparing a surface having a surface energy of between about 20 and about 30 mJ/m.sup.2, comprising applying such a copolymer to a support. A method of preventing accumulation of ice on an article of manufacture, comprising applying such a copolymer to an article of manufacture. A method of preparing a polymer, comprising a step of adding trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene/vinylidene fluoride copolymer as a polymer processing additive/aid to said polymer.

Described herein is method of making branched perfluorinated compounds, specifically (CF.sub.3).sub.2CFCF(CF.sub.3)OCF(CF.sub.3)C(═O)F and (CF.sub.3).sub.2CFCF(CF.sub.3)OCF═CF.sub.2. Also disclosed herein is a fluoropolymer derived from the branched perfluorovinyl ether monomer and methods of making the fluoropolymer.

The invention pertains to a fluoroelastomer composition comprising: (a) a vinylidene fluoride-based fluoroelastomer [fluoroelastomer (A)] comprising recurring units derived from vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and recurring units derived from at least one additional (per)fluorinated monomer; said fluoroelastomer (A): —possessing a polydispersity index (IMWD) of between 1.5 and 3.5, —comprising an amount of polar end groups of formula —CF.sub.2CH.sub.2OH of at least 3 mmol/kg and at most 6 mmol/kg, and —further comprising end of chain groups of formula —CF.sub.2H, —CF.sub.2CH.sub.3, and, optionally, —OC(o)—R.sub.H (with R.sub.H being a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl group) in an amount such to satisfy the following inequality: [—CF.sub.2CH.sub.2OH]+[—CF.sub.2H]+[—CF.sub.2CH.sub.3H—OC(o)R.sub.H]≤30+(2×10.sup.6)/M.sub.n, (b) at least one polyhydroxylated curing agent; (c) at least one accelerant; (d) at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of divalent metal oxides; and (e) optionally, at least one metal hydroxide, wherein the amount of said metal hydroxide, if present, is below 3 phr, based on 100 weight parts of fluoroelastomer (A).

To provide a fluorinated copolymer excellent in low temperature properties and crosslinking property as a fluororubber, and a method for producing it.

A fluorinated copolymer which has units based on tetrafluoroethylene, units based on propylene and units based on a compound represented by the following formula 1, and which has either one or both of iodine atoms and bromine atoms:

CF.sub.2═CFO(R.sup.f1O).sub.nR.sup.f2  formula 1

wherein R.sup.f1 is a C.sub.1-3 perfluoroalkylene group, R.sup.f2 is a C.sub.1-6 perfluoroalkyl group, n is an integer of from 1 to 4, and in a case where n is from 2 to 4, a plurality of R.sup.f1 may be the same or different.