Silica-filled,high molecular weight polyolefin

Abstract

Abstract THIS INVENTION RELATES TO THE PRODUCTION OF LOW COST, REINFORCED THERMOPLASTIC SHEETS THAT ARE CHARACTERIZED BY RIGIDITY AND STRENGTH. THE SHEETS MAY BE FORMED INTO VARIOUS STRUCTURAL SHAPES USING CONVENTIONAL METAL-FORMING TECHNIQUES. THE SHEET PRODUCT, WHICH COMPRISES AS THE MAJOR CONSTITUENT A SILICA-FILLED, MEDIUM OR HIGH DENSITY POLYOLEFIN WITH HIGH OR EXTRA-HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT, E.G., POLYETHYLENE, WITH SILICA AS A FILLER MAY BE USED WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL REINFORCEMENT. HOWEVER, THE SHEET CAN ALSO BE LAMINATED WITH STEEL CLOTH, SHEET STEEL OR STEEL FOIL, FIBER GLASS MAT, FIBER GLASS CLOTH, ETC., FOR ADDITIONAL STRENGTH AND STIFFNESS. THE REINFORCING SHEETS ARE ASSEMBLED WITH THE FILLED THERMOPLASTIC SHEET AT A TEMPERATURE ABOVE THE SOFTENING POINT OF THE THERMOPLASTIC SUCH THAT THE ASSEMBLY REMAINS INTACT AFTER THE PROCESSING PRESSURE IS ELIMINATED. THE THERMOPLASTIC SHEET PRODUCT EXHIBITS IMPROVED LOAD BEARING CHARACTERISTIC WITH LOWER ELONGATION IN COMPARISON TO THE UNFILLED POLYMERIC MATERIAL ALONE. THE IMPACT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FILLED SYSTEM IS HIGHER THAN OTHER FILLED PLASTIC SHEETS. THE CORROSION RESISTANCE, EASE OF CLEANABILITY, THE NEGLIGIBLE AMOUNT OF WATER ABSORPTION, AND THE HIGH MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THE PLASTIC SHEETS, ESPECIALLY AT SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURE ENVIRONMENT, PROMOTE THEIR USE IN SEVERAL STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS; FOR EXAMPLE, IN FORMING STRUCTURAL SHAPES SUCH AS FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF GOODS, E.G., PALLETS, FOR SHIPPING CONTAINERS, TRUCK-TRAILER FLOORING, AND THE LIKE.

Inventors

• 👤 F Soliman

Bibliographic Details