Fluoropolymer thermoplastic elastomer
The invention relates to an object or object part made from a composition comprising at least one fluoropolymer F, wherein: —the at least one fluoropolymer F comprises vinylidene fluoride units and at least 30 wt. % of units derived from at least one monomer of formula (I): (I) CX 1 X 2 ═CX 3 Y, wherein each of X 1 , X 2 and X 3 is independently selected from H, Cl, F, Br, I and alkyl groups comprising from 1 to 3 carbon atoms which are optionally partly or fully halogenated and Y is an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 3 carbon atoms which is optionally partly or fully halogenated; —the proportion of the at least one fluoropolymer F in the composition is at least 80 wt. %; and—the viscosity of the composition is at least 1000 Pa·s at a temperature of 230° C. and at a shear rate of 100 s − 1.
1. An object or object part comprising a composition comprising at least one fluoropolymer F, wherein:
the at least one fluoropolymer F comprises vinylidene fluoride units and at least 30 wt. % of units derived from at least one monomer of formula (I):
CX 1 X 2 ═CX 3 Y, (I)
wherein each of X 1 , X 2 and X 3 is independently selected from H, Cl, F, Br, I and alkyl groups comprising from 1 to 3 carbon atoms which are optionally partly or fully halogenated and Y is an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 3 carbon atoms which is optionally partly or fully halogenated;
the total proportion of fluoropolymer(s) F in the composition is at least 80 wt. %; and
the viscosity of the at least one fluoropolymer F is at least 1000 Pa·s at a temperature of 230° C. and at a shear rate of 100 s −1 .
2. The object or object part of claim 1 , wherein:
Y is CF 3 ; and/or
each of X 1 , X 2 and X 3 is independently selected from H, Cl, F, Br and I.
3. The object or object part of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluoropolymer F comprises from 32 to 40 wt. % of units derived from the at least one monomer of formula (I).
4. The object or object part of claim 1 , wherein the viscosity of the composition is from 1000 to 4400 Pa·s at a temperature of 230° C. and at a shear rate of 100 s −1 .
5. The object or object part of claim 1 , wherein the total proportion of fluoropolymer(s) F in the composition is at least 85 wt. %.
6. The object or object part of claim 1 , having a minimum dimension of at least 100 μm.
7. The object or object part of claim 1 , wherein the object is selected from the group consisting of wearable objects and consumer electronics objects.
8. A process of making the object or object part of claim 1 , comprising a step of shaping said composition.
9. The process of claim 8 , comprising the steps of:
providing the composition in a solid form;
softening the composition by raising the temperature;
shaping the softened composition;
cooling down.
10. The process of claim 8 , wherein said shaping is performed by compression molding, injection molding, hot pressing or extrusion.
11. The process of claim 8 , wherein the composition is not subjected to any crosslinking.
12. The process of claim 8 , wherein the composition is crosslinked after cooling down.
13. The object or object part of claim 1 , wherein the at least one monomer of formula (I) is hexafluoropropene.
14. The object or object part of claim 1 , wherein the object is selected from the group consisting of supports for sensors, supports for electronic devices, casings, belts, gloves, pads, strips and bands.