Process for etching polytetrafluoroethylene

摘要

A process for etching polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is disclosed herein which comprises defluorinating the surface layer of PTFE. The process includes exposing a sample of PTFE to the vapors of an alkali metal such that a layer of the fluoride of the alkali metal is formed on the surface of the PTFE sample and removing the fluoride of the alkali metal from the surface of the PTFE sample.