Radiation‐induced polymerization at high pressure of n‐tetradecafluoroheptene‐1; 1,1,2‐trifluorovinyl phenyl ether; and 1,2,3,4,5‐pentafluorophenyl 1,1,2‐trifluorovinyl ether

Abstract

The radiation‐induced polymerization of n‐tetradecafluoroheptene‐1 was investigated at pressures of 8100, 11,900 and 17,100 atmospheres and temperatures between 90 and 267°C. The data are interpreted in terms of a free radical mechanism and the polymer has a low ceiling temperature. As temperature is increased, the depropagation step becomes important and reduces the rate of polymerization. Under some conditions transfer seems to be a significant part of the mechanism. Several radiation‐induced polymerizations at high pressure were carried out with 1,1,2‐trifluorovinylphenyl ether as well as one with 1,2,3,4,5‐pentafluorophenyl 1,1,2‐trifluorovinyl ether. The results suggest that transfer limits the molecular weight of the polymers.