Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
  • C02F1/30—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by irradiation
  • C02F1/32—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by irradiation with ultraviolet light
  • C02F1/325—Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
  • C08J3/00—Processes of treating or compounding macromolecular substances
  • C08J3/12—Powdering or granulating
• • B29C47/0004—
• • B29C47/0026—
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C48/022—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the choice of material
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
  • B29C48/09—Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels
  • B29C48/10—Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels flexible, e.g. blown foils
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C69/00—Combinations of shaping techniques not provided for in a single one of main groups B29C39/00 - B29C67/00, e.g. associations of moulding and joining techniques; Apparatus therefore
  • B29C69/001—Combinations of shaping techniques not provided for in a single one of main groups B29C39/00 - B29C67/00, e.g. associations of moulding and joining techniques; Apparatus therefore a shaping technique combined with cutting, e.g. in parts or slices combined with rearranging and joining the cut parts
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C71/00—After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C71/02—Thermal after-treatment
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C71/00—After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C71/04—After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. for curing or vulcanising preformed articles
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
  • C08J3/00—Processes of treating or compounding macromolecular substances
  • C08J3/12—Powdering or granulating
  • C08J3/126—Polymer particles coated by polymer, e.g. core shell structures
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
  • C08J3/00—Processes of treating or compounding macromolecular substances
  • C08J3/28—Treatment by wave energy or particle radiation
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
  • C08J5/00—Manufacture of articles or shaped materials containing macromolecular substances
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L27/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by a halogen; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L27/02—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by a halogen; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment
  • C08L27/12—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by a halogen; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment containing fluorine atoms
  • C08L27/18—Homopolymers or copolymers or tetrafluoroethene
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L29/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by an alcohol, ether, aldehydo, ketonic, acetal or ketal radical; Compositions of hydrolysed polymers of esters of unsaturated alcohols with saturated carboxylic acids; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L29/10—Homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated ethers
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L71/00—Compositions of polyethers obtained by reactions forming an ether link in the main chain; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
  • B29C35/08—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation
  • B29C35/0805—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using electromagnetic radiation
  • B29C2035/0827—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using electromagnetic radiation using UV radiation
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
  • B29C35/08—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation
  • B29C35/0805—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using electromagnetic radiation
  • B29C2035/085—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using electromagnetic radiation using gamma-ray
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
  • B29C35/08—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation
  • B29C35/0866—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using particle radiation
  • B29C2035/0877—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using particle radiation using electron radiation, e.g. beta-rays
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
  • B29C48/09—Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
  • B29C48/36—Means for plasticising or homogenising the moulding material or forcing it through the nozzle or die
  • B29C48/362—Means for plasticising or homogenising the moulding material or forcing it through the nozzle or die using static mixing devices
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
  • B29C48/36—Means for plasticising or homogenising the moulding material or forcing it through the nozzle or die
  • B29C48/365—Means for plasticising or homogenising the moulding material or forcing it through the nozzle or die using pumps, e.g. piston pumps
  • B29C48/37—Gear pumps
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
  • B29K2027/00—Use of polyvinylhalogenides or derivatives thereof as moulding material
  • B29K2027/12—Use of polyvinylhalogenides or derivatives thereof as moulding material containing fluorine
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
  • B29K2995/00—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds
  • B29K2995/0018—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds having particular optical properties, e.g. fluorescent or phosphorescent
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
  • B29L2023/00—Tubular articles
  • B29L2023/005—Hoses, i.e. flexible
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F2303/00—Specific treatment goals
  • C02F2303/04—Disinfection
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
  • C08J2327/00—Characterised by the use of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by a halogen; Derivatives of such polymers
  • C08J2327/02—Characterised by the use of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by a halogen; Derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment
  • C08J2327/12—Characterised by the use of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by a halogen; Derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment containing fluorine atoms
  • C08J2327/18—Homopolymers or copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
  • C08J2329/00—Characterised by the use of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by an alcohol, ether, aldehydo, ketonic, acetal, or ketal radical; Hydrolysed polymers of esters of unsaturated alcohols with saturated carboxylic acids; Derivatives of such polymer
  • C08J2329/10—Homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated ethers

Definitions

• This application in general, relates to an article and method for making same, and in particular, relates to a flexible tube for fluid conduits.
• Hoses and tubing are used in a variety of industries including water treatment, food processing, chemical industries, pharmaceutical industries, and fuel industries.
• fluid conduits that have a low surface energy inner surface are used because they are easy to clean and resistant to contaminants.
• such industries are turning to low surface energy polymers such as fluoropolymers.
• fluoropolymers are expensive and often have undesirable properties for certain applications.
• fluoropolymers for fluid conduits for water treatment.
• many fluoropolymers do not have the ultraviolet transmittance properties desired to treat and purify water at desirable ultraviolet wavelengths.
• many fluoropolymers also are inflexible, making the material undesirable for applications that require stress, such as bend radius, pressures, and the like.
• an article in an embodiment, includes a layer including a melt processable fluoropolymer, wherein the fluoropolymer includes a copolymer of a tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluoroether, wherein the article has an ultraviolet transmittance of at least about 50% when measured at a thickness of about 0.040 inches to about 0.062 inches when exposed to ultraviolet radiation of about 200 nm to about 280 nm.
• a method of making an article includes providing a layer including a melt processable fluoropolymer, wherein the fluoropolymer includes a copolymer of a tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluoroether, wherein the article has an ultraviolet transmittance of at least about 50% when measured at a thickness of about 0.040 inches to about 0.062 inches when exposed to ultraviolet radiation of about 200 nm to about 280 nm.
• an apparatus for purifying water includes a source of ultraviolet radiation; and a flexible tube, the flexible tube including a layer including a melt processable fluoropolymer, wherein the fluoropolymer includes a copolymer of a tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluoroether, wherein the flexible tube has an ultraviolet transmittance of at least about 50% when measured at a thickness of about 0.040 inches to about 0.062 inches when exposed to ultraviolet radiation of about 200 nm to about 280 nm.
• the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “has”, “having” or any other variation thereof, are open-ended terms and should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . .” These terms encompass the more restrictive terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of.”
• a method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of features is not necessarily limited only to those features but may include other features not expressly listed or inherent to such method, article, or apparatus.
• “or” refers to an inclusive-or and not to an exclusive-or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
• an article in a particular embodiment, is provided.
• the article includes a layer including a fluoropolymer.
• the article is a flexible tube.
• the article has desirable properties for applications such as water treatment via ultraviolet radiation.
• a method of making the article is further provided.
• An apparatus for purifying water with the flexible tube is also provided.
• the fluoropolymer of the layer of the article typically is a melt processable fluoropolymer.
• Melt processable fluoropolymer refers to a fluoropolymer that can melt and flow to extrude in any reasonable form such as films, tubes, fibers, molded articles, or sheets.
• the melt processable fluoropolymer is a flexible material.
• the melt processable fluoropolymer has a flexural modulus of at least about 400 MPa, such as about 400 MPa to about 1000 MP, such as about 500 MPa to about 800 MPa, such as about 500 MPa to about 650 MPa.
• the melt processable fluoropolymer has a tensile yield of about 0.5% to about 15%, such as about 1% to about 15%, such as about 1% to about 10%.
• the melt processable fluoropolymer has a desirable hardness.
• the shore hardness of the fluoropolymer of the layer is a shore D of less than about 90, such as less than about 80, or even less than about 70.
• the shore D hardness of the fluoropolymer layer is about 50 to about 60. It will be appreciated that the flexural modulus, tensile yield, and shore D hardness of the fluoropolymer layer can be within a range between any of the minimum and maximum values noted above.
• An exemplary melt processable fluoropolymer for the article may be formed of a homopolymer, copolymer, terpolymer, or polymer blend formed from a monomer, such as tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, trifluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride, vinyl fluoride, perfluoropropyl vinyl ether, perfluoromethyl vinyl ether, or any combination thereof.
• An exemplary melt processable fluoropolymer includes a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluoroether.
• the perfluoroether may be a perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether (PAVE). Any alkyl group is envisioned for the perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether.
• the perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether is a perfluoromethyl vinyl ether, a perfluoroethyl vinyl ether, a perfluoropropyl vinyl ether, a blend, or combination thereof.
• the melt processable fluoropolymer is a copolymer of a tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluoropropyl vinyl ether, a copolymer of a tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluoromethyl vinyl ether, a copolymer of a tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluoroethyl vinyl ether, a blend, or any combination thereof.
• the copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroether includes an advantageous weight percent ratio of about 2% to about 12%, such as about 3% to about 10%, or about 4% to about 8%.
• the melt processable fluoropolymer is substantially free of hexafluoropropylene. “Substantially free” as used herein refers to less than about 1.0% by weight, or even less than about 0.1% by weight of the total weight of the fluoropolymer.
• the layer may include any additive envisioned.
• the additive may include, for example, a co-agent, an antioxidant, a filler, an ultraviolet (UV) agent, a dye, a pigment, an anti-aging agent, a plasticizer, the like, or combination thereof.
• UV ultraviolet
• the use of a co-agent may provide desirable properties such as decreased permeation of small molecules and improved elastic recovery of the layer compared to a layer that does not include a co-agent.
• Any co-agent is envisioned such as, for example, bis-phenol AF, triaryl isocyanurate (TAIC), Triaryl cyanurate (TAC), an organic peroxide, or combination thereof.
• the layer may be substantially free of a co-agent, an antioxidant, a filler, an ultraviolet (UV) agent, a dye, a pigment, an anti-aging agent, a plasticizer, or a combination thereof.
• UV ultraviolet
• substantially free refers to less than about 1.0% by weight, or even less than about 0.1% by weight of the total weight of the fluoropolymer.
• the article may further include an additional polymer that does not adversely affect the ultraviolet transmission properties of the fluoropolymer.
• the additional polymer has an ultraviolet transmittance of at least about 50%, such as at least about 60%, or even greater than about 65% at a wavelength of 200 nm to about 280 nm when measured at a thickness as described.
• the additional polymer may be polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic, cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), a blend, or combination thereof.
• the layer includes at least 70% by weight of the fluoropolymer.
• the layer may include at least 85% by weight fluoropolymer, such as at least 90% by weight, at least 95% by weight, or even 100% by weight of the fluoropolymer.
• the layer may consist essentially of the fluoropolymer.
• the phrase “consists essentially of” used in connection with the fluoropolymer of the layer of the article precludes the presence of non-fluorinated polymers that affect the basic and novel characteristics of the fluoropolymer, although, commonly used processing agents and additives such as an antioxidant, a fillers, a UV agent, a dye, a pigment, an anti-aging agent, and any combination thereof may be used in the fluoropolymer.
• the fluoropolymer consists essentially of the copolymer of the tetrafluoroethylene and the perfluoroether, such as the perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether.
• the layer may consist of the fluoropolymer.
• the phrase “consists of” used in connection with the fluoropolymer of the layer precludes the presence of any other components within the layer.
• the fluoropolymer consists of the copolymer of the tetrafluoroethylene and the perfluoroether, such as the perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether.
• the article may have an advantageous ultraviolet transmittance.
• the article has an ultraviolet transmittance of at least about 50% when measured at a thickness of the article of about 0.040 inches to about 0.062 inches when exposed to ultraviolet radiation of about 200 nanometers(nm) to about 280 nm.
• Thiickness refers to the wall thickness of the fluoropolymer layer.
• the thickness of the fluoropolymer layer may be between about 0.0005 inches and about 0.125 inches.
• the article has an ultraviolet transmittance of at least about 60%, or at least about 65%, when measured at a thickness of about 0.040 inches to about 0.062 inches when exposed to ultraviolet radiation of about 200 nm to about 280 nm.
• any thickness of the article is envisioned, with the proviso that the ultraviolet transmittance is at least about 50% when exposed to ultraviolet radiation of about 200 nm to about 280 nm. It will be appreciated that the thickness of the fluoropolymer layer can be within a range between any of the minimum and maximum values noted above.
• the article consists essentially of the fluoropolymer layer as described. In a more particular embodiment, the article consists of the fluoropolymer layer as described.
• the article includes at least two layers, or even a greater number of layers. The number of layers is dependent upon the final properties desired for the article.
• the article may further include other layers. Other layers include, for example, a polymeric layer, a reinforcing layer, an adhesive layer, a barrier layer, a chemically resistant layer, any combination thereof, and the like, with the proviso that the article has an advantageous ultraviolet transmittance as described above. Any reasonable method of providing any additional layer is envisioned and is dependent upon the material chosen. Any thickness of the other layers may be envisioned. In an embodiment, the total thickness of the article may be at least 0.0005 inches to about 0.250 inches. It will be appreciated that the total thickness of the article can be within a range between any of the minimum and maximum values noted above.
• the article may be formed by any reasonable means and is dependent upon the material chosen and the final article desired.
• the layer of the fluoropolymer is provided by any reasonable means.
• the fluoropolymer is formed by extrusion or injection molding.
• the fluoropolymer is formed with an extrusion system.
• the extrusion system typically includes a pumping system and can include a number of devices that can be utilized to form the layer of the article.
• the pumping system can include a pumping device such as a gear pump, a static mixer, an extruder, a die, such as a tube die, a cure device, a post-processing device, or any combination thereof.
• the fluoropolymer material is mixed and pumped, i.e. extruded, through the die of the extrusion system. Any reasonable mixing apparatus is envisioned.
• heat may also be applied to the fluoropolymer material.
• any reasonable heating temperature for the components of the fluoropolymer material may be used to provide a material that can flow from the pumping system and extruded through the die without degradation of the material.
• the temperature may be about 250° C. to about 420° C. It will be appreciated that the heating temperature can be within a range between any of the minimum and maximum values noted above.
• the die is configured to provide an extruded article with any dimension or shape envisioned.
• the tube die is configured to provide an extruded tube with a circular shape; however, any dimension or shape is envisioned.
• the article is cooled after extrusion. Any method of cooling the article is envisioned. In an embodiment, the article is cooled at a temperature that is less than a melting temperature of the fluoropolymer. In a particular embodiment, the article is cooled at a temperature of about 1° C. to about 99° C., such as about 1° C. to about 70° C., or about 70° C. to 99° C. In a particular embodiment, the article is sprayed with aerosolized water. In a more particular embodiment, the aerosolized water is at a temperature of about 1° C. to about 99° C., such as about 1° C. to about 25° C.
• the article is placed in a liquid having a temperature lower than room temperature, for instance, water at a temperature of less than 25° C.
• a pressure of the aerosolized water is envisioned.
• the pressure of the aerosolized water is at least about 0.1 barr, such as about 0.1 barr to about 10 barr. It will be appreciated that the water temperature and pressure can be within a range between any of the minimum and maximum values noted above.
• the article can undergo one or more post processing operations. Any reasonable post processing operations are envisioned.
• the article can be subjected to any radiation treatment, such as UV radiation, e-beam radiation, gamma radiation, and the like.
• the article can be subjected to a post-processing thermal treatment.
• the post-processing thermal treatment typically occurs at a temperature of about 1° C. to about 250° C.
• the post thermal treatment occurs for a time period of about 5 minutes to about 10 hours, such as about 10 minutes to about 30 minutes, or alternatively about 1 hour to about 4 hours. It will be appreciated that the post thermal treatment temperature and time can be within a range between any of the minimum and maximum values noted above.
• the article is not subjected to a post thermal treatment.
• the article is a flexible tube that can be cut into a number of flexible tubes having a specified length.
• the post processing can include wrapping the flexible tube into a coil of tubing.
• the article is a flexible tube that includes an inner surface that defines a central lumen of the tube.
• the flexible tube may be provided that has any useful diameter size for the particular application chosen.
• the tubing may have an outside diameter (OD) of up to about 5.0 inches, such as about 0.25 inch, 0.50 inch, and 1.0 inch.
• the tubing may have an inside diameter (ID) of about 0.03 inches to about 4.00 inches, such as about 0.06 inches to about 1.00 inches. It is envisioned that the outside diameter and the inside diameter may be within the minimum and maximum values described.
• the resulting article may have further desirable physical and mechanical properties.
• the article has optical clarity.
• the article appears transparent or at least translucent.
• the article may have a light transmission greater than about 50%, greater than about 75%, or greater than about 99% in the visible light wavelength range.
• the article has desirable flexibility and substantial clarity or translucency.
• the article has a desirable crystallinity.
• the crystallinity of the fluoropolymer provides optical clarity and advantageous ultraviolet transmittance.
• the fluoropolymer has a crystallinity of less about 50%, such as less than about 30%, less than about 20%, or less than about 10%.
• the fluoropolymer has a crystallinity of about 1% to about 75%, such as about 1% to about 50%, such as about 1% to about 40%, such as about 1% to about 30%.
• the polymeric article may alternatively take the form of a film, a washer, a container, or a fluid conduit.
• the polymeric article may take the form or a film, such as a laminate, or a planar article, such as a septa or a washer.
• the polymeric article may take the form of a fluid conduit, such as tubing, a pipe, a hose or more specifically flexible tubing, transfer tubing, pump tubing, chemical resistant tubing, high purity tubing, reinforced tubing, braided tubing, smooth bore tubing, fluoropolymer lined pipe, or rigid pipe, or any combination thereof.
• a flexible tube is a water treatment tube, a peristaltic pump tube, such as for chemical or detergent dispensing, or a liquid transfer tube, such as a chemically resistant liquid transfer tube.
• the article may be used in applications such as water treatment, industrial, wastewater or other applications where desirable UV transmittance, and/or chemical resistance, and/or low permeation to gases, and/or high purity are desired.
• the article is used with an apparatus for purifying water.
• the apparatus includes an ultraviolet source and the article, such as a flexible tube. Water flows through the inner conduit of the flexible tube by any reasonable means.
• a pump is used with the apparatus to move the water from a proximal end of the flexible tube to a distal end of the flexible tube. Any length between the proximal end and the distal end is envisioned. Any flow rate is envisioned to provide water substantially free of a microorganism. In an embodiment, the flow rate is dependent upon several factors such as, for example, the diameter of the flexible tube, the thickness of the flexible tube, the ultraviolet source, the proximity of the ultraviolet source to the flexible tube, the type of microorganism being irradiated, and the like. “Microorganism” as used herein refers to bacteria, yeast, mold, algae, a virus, the like, or combination thereof.
• the water within the article is exposed to the ultraviolet source.
• Any ultraviolet source is envisioned along any length of the article.
• the ultraviolet source is a “C” type providing radiation in a wavelength of about 200 nm to about 280 nm.
• Any time for exposure is envisioned. In an embodiment, the time for exposure is dependent upon flow rate of the water, amount of microorganism present before irradiation with the ultraviolet source, the proximity of the ultraviolet source to the article, the type of microorganism, the ultraviolet source, the thickness of the article, the diameter of the article when it is, for example, a flexible tube, the like, or combination thereof.
• the water is substantially free of a microorganism after exposure to the ultraviolet radiation. “Substantially free” as used herein refers to less than about 0.1%, or even less than 0.01% of a microorganism.
• An article includes a layer including a melt processable fluoropolymer, wherein the fluoropolymer includes a copolymer of a tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluoroether, wherein the article has an ultraviolet transmittance of at least about 50% when measured at a thickness of about 0.040 inches to about 0.062 inches when exposed to ultraviolet radiation of about 200 nm to about 280 nm.
• a method of making an article includes providing a layer including a melt processable fluoropolymer, wherein the fluoropolymer includes a copolymer of a tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluoroether, wherein the article has an ultraviolet transmittance of at least about 50% when measured at a thickness of about 0.040 inches to about 0.062 inches when exposed to ultraviolet radiation of about 200 nm to about 280 nm.
• melt processable fluoropolymer consists essentially of the copolymer of the tetrafluoroethylene and the perfluoroether.
• melt processable fluoropolymer consists of the copolymer of the tetrafluoroethylene and the perfluoroether.
• perfluoroether includes perfluoropropyl vinyl ether, perfluoromethyl vinyl ether, perfluoroethyl vinyl ether, or combination thereof.
• melt processable fluoropolymer has a crystallinity of at least about 1%, such as about 1% to about 75%, such as about 1% to about 50%, such as about 1% to about 40%, such as about 1% to about 30%.
• melt processable fluoropolymer has a tensile yield of about 0.5% to about 15%, such as about 1% to about 15%, such as about 1% to about 10%.
• An apparatus for purifying water includes a source of ultraviolet radiation; and a flexible tube, the flexible tube including a layer including a melt processable fluoropolymer, wherein the fluoropolymer includes a copolymer of a tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluoroether, wherein the flexible tube has an ultraviolet transmittance of at least about 50% when measured at a thickness of about 0.040 inches to about 0.062 inches when exposed to ultraviolet radiation of about 200 nm to about 280 nm.
• melt processable fluoropolymer consists essentially of the copolymer of the tetrafluoroethylene and the perfluoroether.
• melt processable fluoropolymer consists of the copolymer of the tetrafluoroethylene and the perfluoroether.
• perfluoroether includes perfluoropropyl vinyl ether, perfluoromethyl vinyl ether, perfluoroethyl vinyl ether, or combination thereof.
• melt processable fluoropolymer has a crystallinity of at least about 1%, such as about 1% to about 75%, such as about 1% to about 50%, such as about 1% to about 40%, such as about 1% to about 30%.
• the three different resin options 1, 2, and 3 are each a copolymer of a tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether. These tubes are compared to a baseline (Tube 5) of FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene resin).
• the FEP is a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene or a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether.
• melt processable fluoropolymer is melted and then tubes are extruded and cooled either at a temperature above 70° F. (process A) or below 70° F. (process B).
• the tubing had a wall thickness of 0.045 inches and UV transmission is measured at wavelengths from 200 nm to 295 nm. Results can be seen in Table 1:

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• 2017
  • 2017-01-27 JP JP2018538186A patent/JP2019505640A/ja not_active Withdrawn
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  • 2017-01-27 WO PCT/US2017/015466 patent/WO2017132587A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2017-01-27 CN CN202410433237.2A patent/CN118221973A/zh active Pending
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• 2021
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