Properties of Functionalized Silica-Reinforced Fluoropolymers

Fluoropolymers are chemically inert, thermally stable, possess very low dielectric constants and dissipation factors, demonstrate very low surface friction, and are inherently flame retardant. However, they also suffer some disadvantages including marginal abrasion resistance, poor machining properties, low tensile strength and modulus, and propensity to creep under mechanically loaded conditions. The dispersion of nanoparticles in fluoropolymer hosts is a path toward mitigating these shortcomings. However, achieving a reasonable dispersion is a formidable challenge due to the electronic nature of fluorinated materials. To circumvent this issue, nanosilica has been functionalized with fluorodecyl silanes. Nanocomposites derived from these particles have been fabricated and their properties will be reported.