ION-EXCHANGE FABRIC OF FLUORINATED POLYMER CONTAINING PENDANT SIDE CHAINS WITH SULFONYL GROUPS AND PROCESS OF FORMATION THEREOF

摘要

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREA woven fibrous ion-exchange fabric is initiallyformed from fibers as in the form of threads, ropes or yarnswhich comprise a fluorinated polymer with sulfonyl-containingpendant side chains in the -SO2X form wherein X is fluorineor chlorine. Conversion of the sulfonyl group in thepolymer to ionic form causes longitudinal shrinkage of thefiber in the woven fabric and lateral fiber swelling therebyforming a fabric that is essentially impermeable to physicalflow of liquid through spaces between the fibers. Highstrength is realized in the woven fabric without a need forreinforcing material.