Composites prepared by the anionic polymerization of ethyl 2-cyanoacrylatewithin supercritical carbon dioxide-swollen poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene)

Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC CO2) was used as an aid in fabricating pol ymer/polymer composites. Using a two-stage process, ethyl 8-cyanoacrylate ( ECA) monomer tvas anionically polymerized within poly(tetrafluoroethylene-c o-hexafluoropropylene) substrates. The composite fabrication process involv ed first infusing triphenylphosphine (the initiator) into the substrate usi ng SC CO2. In the second step, monomer was introduced (again using SC CO2) to the substrate. As the monomer absorbed into the initiator-containing sub strate, it polymerized. The composite surfaces were characterized using sur face-selective techniques. The mechanical performance of the composites was determined by measuring the adhesive fracture toughness of the composites. The locus of failure of fractured interfaces of composites with epoxy was determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.