Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute

Akira Udagawa

Akihiro Oshima

Tadao Seguchi

Yoneho Tabata

Yosuke Morita

Unsintered poly(tetrafluoroethylene) resin feeds are treated with ionizing radiation in an absorbed dose of no more than 1,000 Gy at room temperature in air so that only the melting temperature of the resin feeds is shifted toward the lower end without changing the quantities of heat of fusion and crystallization.

Radiation-modified poly (tetrafluoroethylene) resin feeds and a process for producing the same

Fibers as a reinforcing substrate are impregnated with the particles of polytetrafluoroethylene and pressed into a shape at the melting point of polytetrafluoroethylene. Alternatively, the reinforcing substrate sandwiched between polytetrafluoroethylene sheets is pressed into a shape at the melting point of polytetrafluoroethylene. In either case, the shaped article is then exposed to an ionizing radiation in an oxygen-free atmosphere at the melting point of polytetrafluoroethylene. The inherent characteristics of the polytetrafluoroethylene, i.e., heat resistance, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance and lubricity, are retained and yet radiation resistance and resin transparency are imparted.

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Takasaki, Japan

Akira Udagawa