Molecular–topological structure of tetrafluoroethylene–perfluoromethylvinyl ether copolymer irradiated with MeV protons

Abstract

The molecular–topological structure of a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoromethylvinyl ether has been studied for the first time before and after irradiation with 1- and 4-MeV protons. The pseudo-network structure of the copolymer contains an amorphous block and crystalline segments of macromolecules as branching points. After bombardment with protons, a high-temperature amorphous block is formed in the copolymer with simultaneous complete amorphization of the copolymer structure and a decrease in its molecular flow temperature. The surface of a target plate with a thickness of 500 μm that has not been directly exposed to proton bombardment preserves the molecular–topological structure of the initial copolymer.