Dispersion spun fluoropolymer fiber prepared from non-melt-processible polytetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkoxy

A method of making a fluoropolymer fiber exhibiting two melting points comprising,

• forming a mixture of an aqueous dispersion of non-melt-processible polytetrafluoroethylene particles and perfluoroalkoxy particles with an aqueous solution of a matrix polymer,
• extruding the mixture into a coagulation bath and forming an intermediate fiber structure by coagulating the matrix polymer in the coagulation bath, and
• sintering the intermediate fiber structure to decompose the matrix polymer and coalesce the polytetrafluoroethylene particles and the perfluoroalkoxy particles into a blended fiber.