MICROPOROUS MATERIAL FROM ETHYLENE-CHLOROTRIFLOUROETHYLENE COPOLYMER AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME

摘要

Microporous material having a spherulitic matrix made from ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer has a plurality of pores having an average pore size greater than about 0.01 micrometer. The material is made by thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) process that includes melt mixing ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer, diluent and nucleating agent to provide a melt mixed composition; shaping the melt mixed composition; cooling the shaped melt mixed composition to induce phase separation of the ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer to provide a phase separated material; and stretching the phase separated material to provide the microporous material. The microporous material may be incorporated into articles and the articles may include one, two or more layers of microporous material.