The copolymer prepared from tetrafluoroethylene and trifluoronitrosomethane was studied by light scattering in 1,1,2‐trichloro‐2,2,1‐trifluoroethane (Freon 113) and by solution viscosity in Freon 113 and perfluorotributylamine (FTBA). Molecular weights ranging from 2 × 105 to 2.4 × 106 were measured. Viscosity–molecular weight relationships were obtained for both solvents. They are: The extreme resistance of the polymer to nonfluorinated solvents is explained on the basis of its low solubility parameter, δ, which was established to be 5.2. From a consideration of the root‐mean‐square end‐to‐end chain length, the freely jointed segment is 24 chain atoms. Fractionation of the polymers shows a wide range of molecular weights with an abnormally large, low molecular weight portion.

Thermal degradation of trifluoronitrosomethane/tetrafluoroethylene copolymer yields COF2 and CF3NCF2 as gaseous decomposition products. The copolymer weight loss appears first order in copolymer. The activation energy is 58 kcal./mole, and the first‐order rate constant is approximately k1 (min.−1) = 3.1 ′ 1021 exp {‐29,047/T} determined in the 250–265°C. range. A rather large weight fraction of low molecular weight species exists in some nonfractionated copolymer samples leading to rapid initial weight losses upon heating. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses were used to observe a thermal runaway decomposition at temperatures above 270°C. Gamma radiations from spent atomic fuel elements produce random scissions in the copolymer chains followed by COF2 and CF3NCF2 evolution. At 23°C. the total energy absorption per primary chain scission is Ed = 44 e.v./scission. For each chain scission an average of approximately 5.3CF2N(CF3)OCF2 units decompose to COF2 and CF3NCF2. In systems containing these product gases at appreciable pressure an adduct, (CF3)2NCOF, is produced. Ultraviolet light of 2537 A. wavelength photolyzes the copolymer producing random chain scissions and the gases COF2 and CF3NCF2. The quantum yield for primary random chain scission at 23°C. is ϕd = 0.91 × 10−3 scissions/absorbed photon; the equivalent total energy absorption per event is Ed = 5400 e.v./scission. An average of approximately 3.6 CF2N(CF3)OCF2 units decompose to COF2 and CF3NCF2 for each chain scission.