Advances in Fluoroelastomers

Abstract

Fluoroelastomer discoveries and the prospects for future developments are reviewed. The first fluoroelastomer was poly (2-fluorobutadiene) which though an excellent rubber, had no unusual properties. It was then noted that certain copolymers of vinylidene fluoride were flexible and ethylene/trifluoromethylethylene copolymers were rubbery. Intensive research to meet defense and aviation needs for rubbers with better heat and solvent resistance led to the discovery of rubbery vinylidene fluoride copolymers with fluoroolefins. Of these the copolymer with hexafluoropropylene and the terpolymer which contained tetrafluoroethylene met the needs and became mainstays of the market for high temperature elastomers. Their properties and many improvements in these products are detailed. Advancing aerospace needs for low temperature flexibility led to the fluorosilicones which sacrificed solvent resistance and high temperature stability. Though wide ranging research to correct these deficiencies was largely unsuccessful, one commercial product of exceptional stability emerged. It is a rubbery copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene with a perfluorovinyl ether.