Exploitable results Fluorinated thermoplastic elastomers A new family of fluorinated thermoplastic elastomers (FTPE) was developed for applications in hostile conditions, in terms of very low and high temperature service and contact with aggressive chemicals. A-B-A block copolymers were synthesized using an original microemulsion polymerization technology, called branching and pseudoliving whereby FTPEs with a network structure containing both physical and chemical links are prepared. The physical links are obtained by the segragation and crystallization of the hard polymer blocks. This is the characteristic link that leads to the network structure of traditional block copolymer thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). The chemical link is obtained by the branching and pseudoliving technology. This is similar to the characteristic link that constitutes the network structure of traditional thermoset elastomers. However, in this latter case, chemical links are formed through a chemical crosslinking reaction, with all the problems associated with the rubber processing, such as no scrap recycling, compounding and toxic volatile emissions. The presence of both links confers, to the FTPEs developed, an outstanding high temperature resistance in comparison to known commercial FTPEs. The high temperature stability of the network is higher and closer to thermoset elastomers, while maintaining the reversible nature, characteristic of melt processable polymers. Important additional tools were developed such as the annealing and radiation curing process, which improves the network stability and increases its high temperature resistance. In particular, it was found that the application of radiation crosslinking surprisingly contributes further to the high temperature stability of the network, allowing applications in high demanding fields. FTPEs with tailored molecular weight distribution, showing excellent flowing and processing behaviours, were prepared by a special multicomponent addition technique. Industrial hoses and seals, prepared with the new FTPE showed outstanding performances in terms of both chemical resistance and high temperature mechanical and sealing properties in comparison to traditional FTPEs. Fluorinated thermoplastic elastomers A-B-A block fluorinated thermoplastic elastomers (FTPE) were synthesized using an original microemulsion polymerization technology called Branching and Pseudoliving, able to prepare FTPEs with high temperature stability network structures. Using particular monomer compositions for the soft and the hard block, the following product profile was achieved: temperature use range from -40 C to 120 C; compatibility with initially greased lubricated air for pneumatic circuits, mineral oils, natural (rape seed) and hydraulic synthetic esters, central hydraulics, helicopter aircraft hydraulic fluids, aircraft fuels, refrigerant 134a and lubricants (air conditioning) automotive fuels, acoustic test fixture (ATF) gear; better friction properties than existing fluoroelastomers especially in pneumatic applications; coverage including industrial fluidpower systems, automotive, aircraft, oil and gasfield exploration (partly), food and drug machinery, hydraulic systems. Additional tools, such as annealing and radiation cross-linking, giving surprisingly improved mechanical and sealing properties, were developed. A special multicomponent addition technique, able to impart excellent processing behaviours was also developed. At the end of the project fluorinated thermoplastic elastomers of showing outstanding performances, were obtained. Hoses and o-rings were produced and tested. Fluorinated thermoplastic elastomers for hostile conditions An original technology has been developed further to produce a new family of fluorinated thermoplastic elastomers (FTPE) for applications in hostile conditions, in terms of very low and high temperature service and in contact with aggressive chemicals. This technology called Branching and Pseudoliving, enabled synthesis of new block copolymer FTPEs, where the end product at the solid state was formed by a network structure containing both physical and chemical links. Important additional tools were also developed, such as the annealing and radiation curing process, which improve the network stability and increase its high temperature resistance. In particular, it was found that the application of radiation crosslinking gives a substantial further contribution to the high temperature stability of the network, allowing applications in high demanding field, such as automotive and aerospace. The development of a special multicomponent addition technique allowed the preparation of FTPEs with tailored molecular weight distributions. These polymers showed excellent flowing and processing behaviours. Industrial class 2 FTPE hoses were prepared and tested. Searching for OpenAIRE data... There was an error trying to search data from OpenAIRE No results available
