Perfluoroether
Perfluoroethers are a class of organofluorine compound containing one or more ether functional group. In general these compounds are structurally analogous to the related hydrocarbon ethers, except for the distinctive properties of fluorocarbons.
The introduction of an ether function to a perfluoro-polymer chain also provides thermoplastic properties to the polymer, making thermal forming possible. This is a great technological advantage for producing a large variety of shapes and allows extrusion of highly chemically-resistant tubing. It also confers on the polymer a translucent appearance.
Low molecular weight fluorinated ethers
perfluoroethers are analogues of diethylether, e.g. O2, such perfluorosulfonic acid.Of practical utility are the fluorinated epoxides. Tetrafluoroethylene oxide and hexafluoropropylene oxide. These are precursors of perfluoro and perfluoro, and are used as comonomers with tetrafluoroethylene, where they improve the properties of the resulting polytetrafluoroethylene.
Polymeric perfluoroethers
s are fluoropolymers with properties similar to polytetrafluoroethylene. Methylfluoroalkoxy is a polytetrafluoroethylene perfluoro methylvinylether prepared with a different ratio of PTFE and MVE monomers to that used for PFA. In these materials, the ether groups are pendant from the polymer backbone.Krytox is a grease generated by the polymerization of hexafluoropropylene oxide. Its chemical formula is F−n−CF2CF3. The ether groups are integral to the polymer chain.
Nafion is a perfluorinated polyether with pendant sulfonic acid groups.