The use of crosslinking promoters in the γ-radiolysis of poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoromethylvinyl ether). II

Incorporation of 0.5 mol % of nitrile and bromine functionalities was found to enhance the radiation crosslinking of the copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene‐co‐perfluoro(methylvinyl ether) (TFE/PMVE) by a factor of 2 for γ‐irradiations carried out at room temperature to doses in the range 0–50 kGy. The functional groups, nitrile, perfluorophenyl, and hydrogen were found to greatly enhance crosslinking well below the glass transition temperature of TFE/PMVE (276 K). Increased amounts of gel formation as well as improved tensile properties were obtained for irradiations carried out below the Tg of the polymers containing functionalized monomers. These functional groups appear to be acting as catalysts for the radiation crosslinking of TFE/PMVE but they do not get incorporated into the crosslink. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 1447–1452, 2000