Efficient Mineralization of Fluoroelastomers Using Superheated Water in the Presence of Potassium Hydroxide.

The mineralization of fluoroelastomers (FKMs) in superheated water in the presence of potassium hydroxide (KOH) was investigated with the aim of developing a methodology for recycling the fluorine element. Two FKMs-an "uncrosslinked FKM", representing a poly(vinylidene fluoride--hexafluoropropylene) (poly(VDF--HFP)) copolymer with a VDF/HFP molar ratio of 78/22 and a "crosslinked FKM" consisting of this copolymer (cured by peroxide) and carbon black-were treated. The fluorine content of these FKMs was efficiently transformed into F ions in the reaction solution using low KOH concentrations (0.