The kinetics of the interaction of tungsten metal with a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and vinylidene difluoride (TFE-VDF) has been studied by mass spectrometry (MS), thermogravimetry (TG), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Measurements were taken in a vacuum (MS) and in a dynamic argon atmosphere (DSC. TG) in temperature ranges of 550-585 K (MS) and 313-873 K (TG, DSC). The interaction of tungsten with the fluoropolymer is at least a two-stage process. its kinetics is described by the Prout-Tompkins nth-order autocatalytic equation. It follows from the kinetic dependences and parameters obtained that the rate-limiting stage of the overall process is the formation of the highest tungsten fluoride WF6. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.