High melt flow fluoropolymer
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to a partially-crystalline copolymer comprising tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene in an amount corresponding to HFPI of from about 2.8 to 5.3, and preferably from about 0.2% to 3% by weight of perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether), said copolymer being polymerized and isolated in the absence of added alkali metal salts, having a melt flow rate of within the range of about 30±3 g/10 min, and having no more than about 50 unstable endgroups/10 6 carbon atoms can be extruded at high speed onto conductor over a broad polymer melt temperature range to give insulated wire of high quality.
1. Cable for the transmission of data at a frequency of at least 10 GHz, comprising electrical conductor and insulation covering said conductor, said insulation comprising a partially-crystalline copolymer comprising tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene in an amount corresponding to hexafluoropropylene index (HFPI) of from about 2.8 to 5.3, said copolymer being substantially free of alkali metal salt, having a melt flow rate of within the range of about 30±3 g/10 min, and having no more than about 50 unstable endgroups/10 6 carbon atoms, said copolymer exhibiting a dissipation factor at 10 GHz of no greater than 0.00025.
2. The cable of claim 1 wherein the thickness of said insulation is less than 9 mils (0.23 mm).
3. The cable of claim 1 wherein said insulation is solid.
4. The cable of claim 1 wherein said insulation is foamed.
5. The cable of claim 4 wherein said cable is coaxial cable.
6. Process for transmitting data at a frequency of at least 10 GHz by a cable comprising an electrical conductor and insulation covering said conductor, comprising forming said insulation from a partially-crystalline copolymer comprising tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene in an amount corresponding to hexafluoropropylene index (HFPI) of from about 2.8 to 5.3, said copolymer being substantially free of alkali metal salt, having a melt flow rate of within the range of about 30±3g/10 min, and having no more than about 50 unstable endgroups/10 6 carbon atoms having a dissipation factor of no greater than 0.00025 at 10 GHz.