The radiation chemistry of fluoropolymers

This review covers some of the pioneering work of the radiolysis of fluoropolymers, which started in the mid 1950s and has continued up to the present day. In recent years, there has been renewed interest in the radiolysis of fluoropolymers—extending from the standpoint of radiation degradation in, for example, space environments and nuclear facilities, to the deliberate use of radiation for the modification of the fluoropolymers. In compiling this literature review, a fact that stood out was the dearth of information regarding the mechanisms for chain scission and especially crosslinking reactions. The lack of current, fundamental knowledge of the radiolysis of fluoropolymers, in the authors opinion, has limited the use of radiation in many applications, which are only now being realised, e.g. exciting new applications of crosslinked poly(tetrafluoroethylene).