Patent ID: 8513351

Claim:
Fluoroelastomeric gel comprising a fluoroelastomeric latex, and having the following properties: appearance: transparent gelatinous solid; water content between 10% and 90% by weight; and density between 1.1 and 2.1 g/cm 3 , wherein said gel comprises a VDF-based fluoroelastomer mixed with at least one (per)fluorinated comonomer having at least one ethylene-type unsaturation, wherein said (per)fluorinated comonomer is a fluorinated comonomer that is optionally perfluorinated, wherein said gel is not crosslinked in its uncured state, wherein when said gel is dried in a stove at 90° C. until it reaches a constant weight, it gives a curable fluoroelastomer, and wherein said gel is obtained by a process comprising the steps of combining a fluoroelastomeric latex with an aqueous solution at a temperature lower than or equal to the glass transition temperature of the fluoroelastomeric latex to form the fluoroelastomeric gel, wherein said aqueous solution comprises an electrolyte and one or more organic compounds, wherein said one or more organic compounds are soluble in the fluoroelastomeric latex and are capable of lowering the freezing point of the fluoroelastomeric latex, and wherein said one or more organic compounds are either the fluorinated comonomer or a different organic compound; and optionally washing the fluoroelastomeric gel with water.