Fluorinated ethylene-propylene copolymer powders having improved adhesion to substrates and method

摘要

Melt-processible fluorinated ethylene-propylene copolymer powders may be rendered more adherent to substrates, particularly metal substrates, by irradiating the copolymer powder with about 0.5 to 6 megarads of radiation, and preferably about 2 to 4 megarads. The copolymer powder should have a maximum particle size of about 420 microns, and the particles should preferably range in diameter from about 177 to 420 microns. The irradiation increases the melt index of the copolymer, preferably by a factor of about 2 to 10. As a result, the powder has improved flow properties and may be more easily milled to a smaller particle size for application to a substrate. The adhesion of the irradiated powder to metal substrates is improved by a factor of about 2 to 3.