Synthesis of a new type of FEPM (tetrafluoroethylene-propylene alternating copolymer), its curing behavior and physical properties were studied.
Recently, the concern of heat, motor oil and chemical resistance of the elastomer material has been growing and the performance of FEPM, which has excellent chemical and oil resistance against organic and inorganic acids and bases, especially amines even at elevated temperatures, has drawn considerable attention. However, there were some requirements for FEPM to improve its physical properties. In order to resolve the problem, some studies have been made, but the results of the studies were insufficient. Especially, its compression set is over 30%.
In this work, modification of FEPM copolymer was studied to improve the cure stability and physical property as well as mold release, and a new type of FEPM was developed. This new FEPM has a specific cure site which can be introduced quantitatively into the tetrafluoroethylene-propylene backbone. This elastomer is curable with peroxides. The cured material shows good compression set and chemical resistance. Also processability, heat and chemical resistance, cure scheme etc. are discussed.