Fluoropolymer Additives

This book is the first ever written monograph covering thoroughly fluoropolymer additives, methods for their manufacture, their properties and applications. Fluoropoly­mer additives are an important but little noticed group of products. They are used in plastics and rubbers to reduce wear and friction and improve their processing. In addition, they are being used in lubricants, oils, printing inks and coatings to increase lubricity, improve release properties and water and oil repellency, where desired.

The body of the book is divided into four parts and 13 chapters: Part 1, Introduction, covers two chapters, including fluorine chemistry (chapter 1) and detailed descriptions of fluoropoly­mer additives and listing all currently known types (chapter 2).

Part 2, Manufacturing and Properties, is divided into three chapters: Chapter 3 includes manufacturing of high molecular weight fluoropolymer additives, essentially polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polymerisation methods, and characterisation of all types. Chapter 4 focuses on low molecular weight fluoropolymer additives based on PTFE, methods for their manufacture and their properties. This includes degradation of high molecular weight types by pyrolysis, by electron beam irradiation as well as their preparation by direct polymerisation to the desired molecular weight. These additives are most frequently supplied as very fine powders, and referred to as “micro powders” or in an aqueous dispersion. In this chapter are also listed all known commercial products. Chapter 5 covers manufacture and properties of fluoro­elastomer-based additives, methods for their manufacture and properties. A list of commercial products is included.

Part 3, Applications, is divided into six chapters (application of fluorinated additives in lubricants, in plastics, in printing inks, in coatings, and in rubber). One entire chapter is dedicated to the uses of fluoropolymer additives as processing aids.

Part 4, Compliance and Economics, includes a chapter on the compliance with regulation and standards (chapter 12) and a chapter on safety, health, environment, disposal, recycling, and economics (chapter 13).

There are two appendices: Appendix 1 on Food and Drug Administration and Appendix 2 on chemical resistance of PTFE with ample data.

The book is well written, readable, and practical and includes a large amount of important information, relevant illustrations and tables. It will be a valuable resource for a wide range of readers, including engineers, scientists, manufacturing personnel, educators, and students of polymer science and engineering, of material science and chemical engineering.
- JD -