US4199650A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modification of the electrical and optical properties of polymers
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1978-11-07
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Granted: 1980-04-22
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Expires: 1998-11-07
Abstract
Abstract An electron bombardment argon ion source is used to treat polyimide and fluorinated ethylene propylene polymers to form textured surfaces thereon. This improves the optical and electrical properties so that these polymers can be used in industrial and space applications.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Mirtich
- 👤 James S. Sovey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:20
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C59/00; B29C59/16; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/08; B29C35/0866; B29C2035/0872; B29K; B29K2027/00; B29K2027/12; B29K2079/00; B29K2079/08; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0003; B29K2995/0005; B29K2995/0018; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/3154; Y10T428/31721
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of treating the surface of a polymer to modify the surface morphology, optical and electrical properties of the same to attain high thermal emittance and low sheet resistance comprising the steps of placing said polymer in a vacuum environment of about 4×10 -5 torr, exposing at least one surface of the said polymer to a beam of ions having an energy between about 500 and 1000 eV and an ion beam current density between 0.1 and 1.0 mA/cm 2 and neutralizing said ion beam.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of treating the surface of a polymer to modify the surface morphology, optical and electrical properties of the same to attain high thermal emittance and low sheet resistance comprising the steps of placing said polymer in a vacuum environment of about 4×10 -5 torr, exposing at least one surface of the said polymer to a beam of ions having an energy between about 500 and 1000 eV and an ion beam current density between 0.1 and 1.0 mA/cm 2 and neutralizing said ion beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of treating the surface of a polymer to modify the optical and electrical properties of the same as claimed in claim 1 wherein the beam comprises argon ions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 2 including providing a source of argon ions in said vacuum environment, and positioning said polymer in said beam of said argon ions at a location about 20 centimeters from said source, said one surface being substantially normal to said beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the polymer is positioned in the beam of argon ions between 10 and 115 minutes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method of treating the surface of a polyimide to modify the optical and electrical properties of the same as claimed in claim 4 wherein the beam of argon ions has a current density of about 1.0 mA/cm 2 and is uniform over said surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of treating the surface of a fluorinated ethylene propylene polymer as claimed in claim 4 wherein the beam of argon ions has a current density of about 0.5 mA/cm 2 and is uniform over said surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the energy of said beam is about 500 eV.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the fluorinated ethylene propylene is positioned in the beam for about 27 minutes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 8 including the steps of removing said beam from the fluorinated ethylene propylene polymer, and metalizing the exposed surface by sputtering a layer of metal thereon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
An article treated according to the process of claim 1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-04-22 | 1983-10-22 | 1984-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-04-22 | 1987-10-22 | 1988-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-04-22 | 1991-10-22 | 1992-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |