Process for manufacturing fluoropolymer composites

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a process for manufacturing a fluoropolymer composite, said process comprising the following sequential steps: (i) providing an aqueous latex comprising from 10% to 40% by weight, preferably from 15% to 35% by weight of at least one fluoropolymer comprising recurring units derived from vinylidene fluoride (VDF) [polymer (VDF)]; (ii) up-concentrating the aqueous latex provided in step (i) thereby providing an up-concentrated aqueous latex comprising from 45% to 60% by weight, preferably from 45% to 55% by weight of at least one polymer (VDF); (iii) contacting one continuous fiber or a bunch of continuous fibers with the up-concentrated aqueous latex provided in step (ii); (iv) squeezing the impregnated fibrous material provided in step (iii); (v) drying the squeezed fibrous material provided in step (iv), typically at a temperature comprised between 100° C. and 120° C.; (vi) baking the dried fibrous material provided in step (v) at a temperature comprised between 190° C. and 240° C.; (vii) cooling the coated fibrous material provided in step (vi), preferably to a temperature of about 20° C.; (viii) optionally, contacting the coated fibrous material provided in step (vii) with the up-concentrated aqueous latex provided in step (ii) and submitting the impregnated fibrous material so provided to sequential steps (iv) to (vii); and (ix) optionally, repeating step (viii) one or more times. The present invention also pertains to the fluoropolymer composite thereby provided and to uses of said fluoropolymer composite in various applications.