Surface Pretreatments of Polytetrafluoroethylene

Abstract

Abstract PTFE as normally processed contains a highly sheared atypical surface layer. If this layer is removed then the naphthalenide treatment is not effective, although the surface may be reactivated by various means. However, the direct electrochemical reduction and sodium/liquid ammonia treatment, being more severe, readily attack PTFE without this atypical layer. The mechanisms of the above treatments are discussed.