Fluoropolymer

Various fluoropolymers have been proposed for imparting oil and water repellency to leather. Commonly, these fluoropolymers are amphiphilic; i.e., they are made from at least one monomer which is hydrophobic and at least one monomer which is hydrophilic. The present invention identifies and remedies disadvantages associated with the ability of amphiphilic fluoropolymers to impart oil and water repellency to leather. Contrary to conventional thinking, it has now been discovered that the incorporation of hydrophilic groups in a fluoropolymer undesirably reduces its ability to impart water resistance to leather. Correspondingly, it has also been discovered that a fluoropolymer incorporating fewer or no hydrophilic groups imparts superior oil and water repellency to leather when compared to fluoropolymers incorporating more hydrophilic groups. Therefore, this invention provides fluoropolymers which incorporate reduced levels of hydrophilic groups.