Method for manufacturing low-molecular-weight polytetrafluoroethylene

A method for manufacturing low-molecular-weight polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), comprising:

• a) a first step of mixing high-molecular-weight polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with at least one additive selected from the group consisting of:
• ethers having formula R1—O—R2, wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected among C1-C10 straight or branched aliphatic group, C4-C10 alicyclic or heterocyclic groups, C5-C10 aromatic or heteroaromatic groups and wherein R1 and R2 may form a C4-C10 aliphatic cyclic structure, optionally comprising heteroatoms;
• (per)fluorinated vinyl ethers;
• (per)fluorinated olefins;
• and aromatic hydrocarbons substituted with one or more straight or branched alkyl or alkoxy group and/or halogen atom, and
• b) a second step of irradiating the so obtained mixture with ionizing radiation,
• said second step b) being carried out substantially in the absence of oxygen.