Preparation and properties of mid-infrared glass fibres and poly (chlorotrifluoroethylene) composites

Fluorophosphate-glass-fibre-reinforced poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene) (PCTFE) composites with a transmittance of 80% from 0.4 to 3.7 μm were prepared. The transparent PCTFE composites transmit light to longer wavelengths and have a better chemical resistance to organic solvents (60–70% transmittance after immersing in p-xylene for 24 h) than transparent poly(methyl methacrylate) composites do. The tensile strength of the PCTFE increased by about 20% when it contained 1.1 vol% of unidirectional fluorophosphate glass fibre. The method for preparing the glass fibres and the composites is also described. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.