Chapter 4: Fluoroplastics and Fluoroelastomers – Basic Chemistry and High-performance Applications

This chapter first briefly describes the effect of fluorine on the properties of fluoropolymers and the development of fluoropolymers since their discovery in the 1930s. It then focuses on the preparation, properties and applications of commercially significant fluoroplastics and fluoroelastomers, including homopolymers of four fluoroethylenes, their copolymers, and fluorosilicones, which are categorized as perfluoroplastics, partially fluorinated plastics and fluoroelastomers. Finally, some recent advances in fluoropolymers with new synthetic methodologies are introduced.