Fluoropolymers made with supercritical CO2
15 Apr 2002
DuPont Fluoroproducts has introduced the first commercial Teflon fluoropolymer resins made using a process based on supercritical carbon dioxide, rather than water-based polymerisation.
According to DuPont, the new process produces Teflon with enhanced performance and processing capabilities, while generating less waste.
New products based on the process are being manufactured at the company's Fayetteville, NC, plant in a new $40 million facility that started up in late 2000.
Jointly developed by DuPont and scientists at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, the technology will first be used to make select melt-processible products for applications such as wire and cable insulation and jackets, flexible tubing, and industrial films.
The process also can be used to make other melt-processible fluoropolymers whose applications include high-purity fluid handling systems.
Products will be targeted at the data communications, semiconductor, automotive and other industrial markets.
