Patent ID: 7122610
Filing Date: 2006-10-17
Classification: C08F

Abstract:
1. A method of making a fluoropolymer, the method comprising: (a) contacting an aqueous mixture comprising a surfactant and a radical initiator with a monomer feed comprising one or more fluoromonomers; (b) providing sufficient heat and agitation to effect a polymerization of said one or more fluoromonomers, thereby forming a fluoropolymer dispersion; and (c) isolating the fluoropolymer from the dispersion; wherein the surfactant comprises a non-fluorinated alkanesulfonate selected from C7–C20 linear 1-alkanesulfonates, C7–C20 linear 2-alkanesulfonates, C7–C20 linear 1,2-alkanedisulfonates, and mixtures thereof; and wherein the fluoropolymer is nonelastomeric, comprises at least 71 wt % vinylidene fluoride, and has at least a 2% crystalline polyvinylidene fluoride content.