Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for fluorinating the surface of a polymeric solid for improving a surface property of said solid while substantially maintaining the bulk physical properties of said solid, which comprises: contacting said polymeric solid with dilute fluorine gas at a temperature not substantially above about room temperature and at a pressure not above about 1 atmosphere for a time adequate to partially fluorinate said solid surface by forming stable fluorocarbon groups wherein the ratio of --CF 2 -- groups to --CHF-- groups is not substantially above about 1:1, the proportion of oxygen-providing groups present during said fluorination being restricted to an amount whereby substantially no oxidation of said surface occurs.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for fluorinating the surface of a polymeric solid for improving a surface property of said solid while substantially maintaining the bulk physical properties of said solid, which comprises: contacting said polymeric solid with dilute fluorine gas at a temperature not substantially above about room temperature and at a pressure not above about 1 atmosphere for a time adequate to partially fluorinate said solid surface by forming stable fluorocarbon groups wherein the ratio of --CF 2 -- groups to --CHF-- groups is not substantially above about 1:1, the proportion of oxygen-providing groups present during said fluorination being restricted to an amount whereby substantially no oxidation of said surface occurs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said fluorination is conducted for a time adequate to partially fluorinate said solid surface without forming substantially any --CF 2 -- groups.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said dilute fluorine gas comprises not substantially above about 4 percent fluorine gas in a diluent inert gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said inert diluent gas comprises nitrogen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said contacting is for a time ranging between about 1 and 30 minutes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said polymeric solid is made from a material selected from a silicon resin, a phenolic resin, a polyolefin, a polyvinyl, a polyester, a polyacrylate, a polyether, a polyamide, a polysulfone, a cellulosic, a polycarbonate, a polyepoxide, and a polyacrylonitrile.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said polymeric solid comprises polymerized ethylene propylene diene monomer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said polymeric solid comprises polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said surface property comprises the oxygen permeability of said polymeric solid.