Article and method for making same

Abstract

An article includes a layer including a melt processable fluoropolymer, wherein the fluoropolymer includes a copolymer of a tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluoroether, wherein the article has an ultraviolet transmittance of at least about 50% at a thickness of about 0.040 inches to about 0.062 inches when exposed to ultraviolet radiation of about 200 nm to about 280 nm. Further provided is a method of making the article and an apparatus for purifying water including an article, such as a flexible tube.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article comprises:
 a layer comprising a melt processable fluoropolymer, wherein the fluoropolymer comprises a copolymer of a tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluoroether, wherein the article has an ultraviolet transmittance of at least about 50% when measured at a thickness of about 0.040 inches to about 0.062 inches when exposed to ultraviolet radiation of about 200 nm to about 280 nm.   
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and the perfluoroether are present at a weight percent ratio of about 2% to about 12%, such as about 3% to about 10%, or about 4% to about 8%. 
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the perfluoroether comprises perfluoropropyl vinyl ether, perfluoromethyl vinyl ether, perfluoroethyl vinyl ether, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the melt processable fluoropolymer consists essentially of the copolymer of the tetrafluoroethylene and the perfluoroether. 
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the article has a shore D durometer of less than about 90, such about 50 to about 60. 
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the article has a total thickness of about 0.0005 inches to about 0.250 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the article has an inner surface providing a conduit for a fluid. 
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid is water. 
     
     
         9 . A method of making an article comprises:
 providing a layer comprising a melt processable fluoropolymer, wherein the fluoropolymer comprises a copolymer of a tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluoroether, wherein the article has an ultraviolet transmittance of at least about 50% when measured at a thickness of about 0.040 inches to about 0.062 inches when exposed to ultraviolet radiation of about 200 nm to about 280 nm.   
     
     
         10 . The method of making the article of  claim 9 , wherein providing the layer comprises extruding the melt processable fluoropolymer. 
     
     
         11 . The method of making the article of  claim 10 , further comprising cooling the article at a temperature of about 1° C. to about 99° C. 
     
     
         12 . The method of making the article of  claim 9 , wherein the perfluoroether comprises perfluoropropyl vinyl ether, perfluoromethyl vinyl ether, perfluoroethyl vinyl ether, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of making the article of  claim 9 , wherein the melt processable fluoropolymer consists essentially of the copolymer of the tetrafluoroethylene and the perfluoroether. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for purifying water comprises:
 a source of ultraviolet radiation; and   a flexible tube, the flexible tube comprising a layer comprising a melt processable fluoropolymer, wherein the fluoropolymer comprises a copolymer of a tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluoroether, wherein the flexible tube has an ultraviolet transmittance of at least about 50% when measured at a thickness of about 0.040 inches to about 0.062 inches when exposed to ultraviolet radiation of about 200 nm to about 280 nm.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the source of ultraviolet radiation is at a wavelength of about 200 nm to about 280 nm. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the perfluoroether comprises perfluoropropyl vinyl ether, perfluoromethyl vinyl ether, perfluoroethyl vinyl ether, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the melt processable fluoropolymer consists essentially of the copolymer of the tetrafluoroethylene and the perfluoroether. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the tube has a total thickness of 0.0005 inches to about 0.250 inches. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the flexible tube has an inner surface providing a conduit for the water. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the water is substantially free of a microorganism after exposure to ultraviolet radiation of about 200 nm to about 280 nm.