ABSTRACT
Fluorinated thermoplastic elastomers (FTPEs), their chemistry, industrial synthesis, properties, and applications are the subject of this chapter. They are polymeric materials exhibiting elastic behavior similar to cross-linked (vulcanized) rubber but can be processed by conventional thermoplastic methods without curing (cross-linking). This allows flash from molding and other scrap as well as post-consumer waste to be recovered and reused. They are essentially phase-separated systems. Usually, one phase is hard and solid at ambient temperature and the other one is soft and elastic. The hard phase forms the physical cross-links, which are thermoreversible. Essentially, there are two main types of FTPEs, namely block copolymers and thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs); several other types are also phase separated systems but ones prepared by different production methods. The TPVs produced from fluorinated components are referred to as FTPVs. The two phases of any TPE are one which is soft and elastic and another which is hard. The hard phase may be either a hard thermoplastic (e.g., polystyrene) or a semicrystalline polymer, depending on the given system. Because of their flexibility, low flammability, and resistance to oil, fuel, and chemicals, FTPEs find use in the electrical and wire and cable industries as wire coating and as the sheathing and coating of cables. Other applications include seals, tents, and greenhouses, as laminates with polyester fiber-reinforced PVC, and as tubing, bottles, and packaging in food processing and in sanitary goods.
