ABSTRACT
Strong and durable adhesive bonds may be made between polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and either cyanoacrylate (CA) or epoxy adhesives, if the PTFE surface is modified by the use of a “primer” such as triphenylphosphine (TPP) or diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM). The primer mixes with the PTFE surface, and the modified surface is then capable of forming an interphase, tens to hundreds of nanometers thick, where interpenetration of the adhesive and adherend occurs. Using CA adhesives, PTFE/CA/ PTFE block compression shear bond strength (ASTM D4501-85) of over 10 MPa can be achieved, with failure occurring cohesively. Initial work with epoxy adhesives indicates that the use of DDM primer gives adhesive bonds comparable in strength with those produced by modification of the fluoropolymer surface by sodium naphthalenide.
