Surface‐polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene on fluorine‐activated metal substrates

Abstract

Abstract Metals form protective metal fluoride films upon exposure to fluorine. The utilization of the metal fluoride films as catalysts for surface polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene is described. The process consists of a two‐step synthesis: (1) gas phase fluorination of a metal sample to produce a fluoride film on the metal surface and, (2) gas phase polymerization to form a polymeric coating. The fluorocarbon films formed on the metal substrates by the Toy process are fairly adherent, continuous and flexible, except that it is somewhat porous depending on the conditions of fluorination, polymerization, metal compositions, and metal surface preparations. The possible mechanisms of surface‐polymerization are discussed.