Tetrafluoroethylene Telomeres Used to Prepare Fluorine-Containing Hydrophobic Silica Fabric

Abstract

Fluoroplastic varnished cloth is a fiberglass fabric that has been repeatedly impregnated with fluoroplastic suspension (F-4D) and treated thermally; it contains ~60–80% of fluoroplastic. In this work, silica fabric KT-11-13 has been used as the base for the production of varnished cloths with a low content of fluoropolymer, whereas solutions of tetrafluoroethylene telomeres with the general formula A–(CF₂–CF₂)_n–B synthesized by radiation in acetone (n ~ 15, A, B being CH₃COCH₂, H, CH₃) and pentafluorochlorobenzene (n ~ 70, A, B being C₆F₅, Cl) have been used as an impregnating medium. A hydrophobic material containing 5–10% of fluoropolymer has been obtained; the technique of pretreatment of industrial fabric from technical lubricant has been worked out; several methods for its removal have been suggested. Silica and aluminoborosilicate fabrics used as bases have been compared; the feasibility of using tetrafluoroethylene telomeres in аcetone and pentafluorochlorobenzene has been evaluated. The presence of a fluoropolymer coating providing hydrophobicity of silica fabric is indicated by IR absorption spectra.