Determination of the Thermal Stability of Perfluoropolyalkyl Ethers by Tensimetry

Authors

Larry S. Helmick, Cedarville UniversityFollow
William R. Jones Jr

Document Type

Technical Memorandum

Publication Date

5-1-1992

Abstract

The thermal decomposition temperatures of several perfluoropolyalkyl ether fluids were determined with a computerized tensimeter. In general, the decomposition temperatures of the commercial fluids were all similar and significantly higher than those for noncommercial fluids. Correlation of the decomposition temperatures with the molecular structures of the primary components of the commercial fluids revealed that the stability of the fluids was not affected by carbon chain length, branching, or adjacent difluoroformal groups. Instead, stability was limited by the presence of small quantities of thermally unstable material and/or chlorine-containing material arising from the use of chlorine containing solvents during synthesis. Finally, correlation of decomposition temperatures with molecular weights for two fluids supports a chain cleavage reaction mechanism for one and an unzipping reaction mechanism for the other.

Keywords

Chlorine, ethers, fluoropolymers, molecular structure, molecular weight, perfluoro compounds, solvents, thermal decomposition, thermal stability

Recommended Citation

Helmick, L. S. (1992). Determination of the Thermal Stability of Perfluoropolyalkyl Ethers by Tensimetry. NASA Technical Memorandum (106081).