Wear Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Fiber and Method of Making Same

Abstract

A dispersion spun fluoropolymer fiber prepared from non-melt-processible polytetrafluoroethylene particles and aluminum oxide particles. The concentration of Al 2 O 3 in the aqueous dispersion may range from between about 0.1% to about 5%, with specific concentration of 0.1%, 1.0. The aqueous dispersion is mixed with an aqueous matrix polymer solution containing a matrix polymer and then extruded into a coagulation bath containing a concentration of ions which coagulate the matrix polymer to form an intermediate fiber structure which carries ionic species. The intermediate fiber structure is sintered to decompose the matrix polymer and coalesce the polytetrafluoroethylene particles and the Al 2 O 3 particles into a blended fiber. The resulting, blended fluoropolymer fiber exhibits improved properties relative to 100% dispersion spun polytetrafluoroethylene fibers.

1 - 2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A fluoropolymer fiber comprising a blend of non-melt-processible polytetrafluoroethylene particles and aluminum oxide particles. 
     
     
         4 . The fluoropolymer fiber according to  claim 3  including up to about 95% perfluoroalkoxy particles and up to about 5% aluminum oxide particles. 
     
     
         5 . The fluoropolymer fiber according to  claim 3  having a maximum continuous use temperature of about 260° C. 
     
     
         6 . The fluoropolymer fiber according to  claim 3  having a tenacity of at least about 1.4 gf/den. 
     
     
         7 . The fluoropolymer fiber according to  claim 3  having an elongation to break of about 10%. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The fluoropolymer fiber according to  claim 3  wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene particles and aluminum oxide particles are coalesced and entangled. 
     
     
         10 . The fluoropolymer fiber according to  claim 3  further comprising a matrix polymer.