NEW INDUSTRIAL FLUOROPOLYMER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Teflon(R) AF, a family of copolymers of perfluoro-2,2-dimethyldioxole with tetrafluoroethylene, and Cytop(R), a ring-cyclized homopolymer of CF2=CFO(CF2)(2)CF=CF2 are the first commercial amorphous perfluoropla stics which combine high optical clarity and solubility with outstandi ng chemical, thermal and electrical properties. The processes for maki ng these materials are described and recent structure-property studies that reveal dramatic substituent effects on polymer T-g and related p roperties are reviewed. The results of some initial fundamental kineti c studies on fluorinated free-radical cyclizations that relate to effi cient cyclopolymerization of fluorinated dienes and the design of new ring-containing fluoroplastics are discussed.