Process for producing fluoroelastomers

Abstract

An emulsion polymerization process for the production of fluoroelastomers is disclosed wherein at least one fluorosurfactant is employed as dispersant, said fluorosurfactant being a fluoroalkylphosphoric acid ester of the formula X—Rf—(CH2)n—O—P(O)(OM)2, wherein n=1 or 2, X=H or F, M=a univalent cation, and Rf is a C4-C6 fluoroalkyl or fluoroalkoxy group. Optionally, a second dispersing agent may be employed in the polymerization, said second agent being a perfluoropolyether having at least one endgroup selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid, a salt thereof, sulfonic acid and a salt thereof, phosphoric acid and a salt thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.