US4048349A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Composite metal polymer films
Assignee: National Research Development Corp UK
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Filing: 1974-12-05
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Granted: 1977-09-13
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Expires: 1994-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A process is described for producing a composite metal film in which metalliferous particles and polymer particles are co-deposited on a substrate, the proportion of metalliferous particles being such that the metal film is discontinuous, the metal particles being present in the form of islands with intervening zones of polymeric material. The resulting composite films have negative temperature coefficient of resistance. The process may be applied to the production of semiconductor composite films, e.g., copper oxide films by means of an annealing oxidative treatment to convert metal to metal oxide before loss of polymeric matrix by oxidation or evaporation.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin White
- 👤 Niyom Boonthanoom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:24
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01B; H01B1/00; H01B1/20; H01B1/22; H01C; H01C17/00; H01C17/06; H01C17/075; H01C17/08; H01C7/00; H01C7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A process for producing a composite metal polymer film having a negative temperature coefficient of resistance, comprising co-depositing, by evaporation from separate sources in a vacuum, metalliferous particles and insulative polymer particles onto a substrate, the proportion of metalliferous particles being such that the metal in the film is discontinuous, the metal particles being present in the form of islands with intervening zones of polymeric material, the islands having diameters of from 110A to 1000A, and subjecting the film in an oxidizing atmosphere at from 200° to 220° C to an oxidative treatment in which substantial oxidation of the separate metal islands is achieved before loss of the polymer by oxidation and/or evaporation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A process for producing a composite metal polymer film having a negative temperature coefficient of resistance, comprising co-depositing, by evaporation from separate sources in a vacuum, metalliferous particles and insulative polymer particles onto a substrate, the proportion of metalliferous particles being such that the metal in the film is discontinuous, the metal particles being present in the form of islands with intervening zones of polymeric material, the islands having diameters of from 110A to 1000A, and subjecting the film in an oxidizing atmosphere at from 200° to 220° C to an oxidative treatment in which substantial oxidation of the separate metal islands is achieved before loss of the polymer by oxidation and/or evaporation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process according to claim 1 in which the heat treatment is effected at from 90° to 200° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 1, in which the metal and polymer are deposited from different sources at controlled rates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process according to claim 3, in which metallic material is evaporated and deposited on the substrate at a constant rate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process according to claim 1, in which the metal is copper, silver, tellurium, chromium, aluminum or gold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 5, in which the polymer is polyethylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the metal oxide is copper, tin or iron.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
A process for producing a composite metal polymer film having a negative temperature coefficient of resistance, comprising co-depositing, by evaporation from separate sources in a vacuum, metalliferous particles and insulative polymer particles onto a substrate; controlling the relative rates of deposition of the metalliferous particles and polymer particles to attain a proportion of metalliferous particles such that the metal in the film is discontinous, the metal particles being present in the form of islands with intervening zones of polymeric material, the islands having diameters of from 110A to 1000A; and subjecting the film in an oxidizing atmosphere at from 200° to 220° C to an oxidative treatment in which substantial oxidation of the separate metal islands is achieved before loss of the polymer by oxidation and/or evaporation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
127 words
A process for producing a composite metal polymer film having a negative temperature coefficient of resistance, comprising co-depositing, by evaporation from separate sources in a vacuum, metalliferous particles and insulative polymer particles onto a substrate; controlling the relative rates of deposition of the metalliferous particles and polymer particles to attain a proportion of metalliferous particles such that the metal in the film is discontinous, the metal particles being present in the form of islands with intervening zones of polymeric material, the islands having diameters of from 110A to 1000A; and subjecting the film in an oxidizing atmosphere at from 200° to 220° C to an oxidative treatment in which substantial oxidation of the separate metal islands is achieved before loss of the polymer by oxidation and/or evaporation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process according to claim 8, in which the heat treatment is effected at from 90° to 200° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process according to claim 9, in which metallic material is evaporated and deposited on the substrate at a constant rate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process according to claim 9, in which the metal is selected from the group consisting of copper, silver, tellurium, chromium, aluminum and gold.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process according to claim 8, in which the polymer is polyethylene, a polycarbonate, polyvinylidine chloride or polyethylene terephthalate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 12, in which the polymer is polyethylene, and the deposition rate is about 17A to 30A min -1 .
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
The process according to claim 13 in which the metal is silver, the deposition rate of polyethylene is about 30A min -1 , the deposition rate of silver is about 40A to 85A min -1 to a total film thickness of about 400A to 1500A, and the heat treatment is at about 90° C for about 3 hours.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
The process according to claim 13 in which the metal is copper, the deposition rate of polyethylene is about 30A min -1 , the deposition rate of copper is about 30A to 70A min -1 to a total thickness of about 400A to 1500A and the heat treatment is at 120° C for about 3 hours.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
126 words
A process for producing a metal oxide film, comprising i. co-depositing, by evaporation from separate sources in a vacuum, metalliferous particles and insulative polymer particles onto a substrate, ii. controlling the relative rates of deposition of the metalliferous particles and polymer particles to attain the proportion of metalliferous particles such that the metal in the film is discontinuous, the metal particles being present in the form of islands with intervening zones of polymeric material, the islands having diameters of from 110A to 1000A, and (ii) heat-treating the film; and subjecting the film in an oxidizing atmosphere at from 200° to 220° C to an oxidative treatment in which substantial oxidation of the separate metal islands is achieved before loss of the polymer by oxidation and/or evaporation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
126 words
A process for producing a metal oxide film, comprising i. co-depositing, by evaporation from separate sources in a vacuum, metalliferous particles and insulative polymer particles onto a substrate, ii. controlling the relative rates of deposition of the metalliferous particles and polymer particles to attain the proportion of metalliferous particles such that the metal in the film is discontinuous, the metal particles being present in the form of islands with intervening zones of polymeric material, the islands having diameters of from 110A to 1000A, and (ii) heat-treating the film; and subjecting the film in an oxidizing atmosphere at from 200° to 220° C to an oxidative treatment in which substantial oxidation of the separate metal islands is achieved before loss of the polymer by oxidation and/or evaporation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 16, in which the metal oxide is copper, tin or iron.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-09-12 | 1981-03-14 | 1981-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-12 | 1985-03-14 | 1985-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-12 | 1989-03-14 | 1989-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |