English Abstract

Evaluation of Resistance of Fluoroelastomer to Ozone in Water

Satoshi MIWA *1 *2
Yoshito OHTAKE *1
Keiji TANAKA *2 *3
*1:Chemicals Evaluation and Research Institute, Kitakatsushika-gun, Saitama, Japan
*2:Department of Automotive Science, Graduate School of Integrated Frontier Sciences, Kyushu University, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
*3:Department of Applied Chemistry, Kyushu University, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
Nippon Gomu Kyokaishi,(2012),85(3),81-86 Original Paper in Japanese

Ozone resistance of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (poly(VDF/HFP/TFE)) cross-linked by peroxide was examined in water. Although the poly(VDF/HFP/TFE)surface was not macroscopically damaged after the ozone treatment in water, physical properties at the surface were altered. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy with an attenuated total reflection mode (FT-IR ATR) revealed that the ozone treatment in water decreased the number density of the triallyl isocyanurate moiety, corresponding to the cross-linking point, of poly (VDF/HFP/TFE) elastomer in the vicinity of the surface. Finally, a correlation between the changes in primary structure and physical properties at the surface is discussed to give a better understanding of the ozone treatment to cross-linked poly (VDF/HFP/TFE) in water.

Keywords: Ozone, Water, Fluoroelastomer, Cross-linking, Force-distance Curve, Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy