US4287149A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the production of polymer materials
Assignee: BTG International Ltd
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Filing: 1978-09-19
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Granted: 1981-09-01
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Expires: 1998-09-19
Abstract
Abstract A high modulus polymer material is produced by subjecting a crystallisable polymer to a thermal treatment under conditions such that the possibility that a given molecular chain is incorporated in more than one crystal lamella is substantially reduced and then attenuating the polymer at an imposed rate and temperature whereby substantially complete alignment of its molecules may be obtained.
Inventors
- 👤 Giancarlo Capaccio
- 👤 Ian M. Ward
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:40
CPC Classifications
D; D02; D02J; D02J1/00; D02J1/22; D02J1/221; B; B29; B29C; B29C55/00; B29C55/02; C; C08; C08J; C08J7/00; C08J7/08; D01; D01D; D01D5/00; D01D5/08; D01D5/084; D01F; D01F6/00; D01F6/02; D01F6/04; B29K; B29K2023/00; B29K2023/04; B29K2023/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A process for the production of a high modulus polymer material which comprises quenching a crystallizable polymer selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, ethylene copolymers containing at least 95% by weight of ethylene, and polyoxymethylene having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of less than 300,000 and a ratio of Mw to number average molecular weight (Mn) less than 30 from a temperature at or above its melting point to a temperature at or close to its crystallization temperature; maintaining the polymer at the temperature for a time sufficient to allow crystallization to occur; and then attenuating the polymer at a temperature below its melting point at a rate such that the deformation ratio (the ratio of the final length to the initial length) is at least 15.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A process for the production of a high modulus polymer material which comprises quenching a crystallizable polymer selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, ethylene copolymers containing at least 95% by weight of ethylene, and polyoxymethylene having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of less than 300,000 and a ratio of Mw to number average molecular weight (Mn) less than 30 from a temperature at or above its melting point to a temperature at or close to its crystallization temperature; maintaining the polymer at the temperature for a time sufficient to allow crystallization to occur; and then attenuating the polymer at a temperature below its melting point at a rate such that the deformation ratio (the ratio of the final length to the initial length) is at least 15.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the crystallizable polymer has Mw < 200,000.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the crystallizable polymer is high density polyethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1, in which Mw is from 50,000 to 250,000.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 4, in which Mw is from 50,000 to 150,000.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 3, in which Mn is from 5,000 to 25,000.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 6, in which Mn is from 5,000 to 15,000.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 1, in which for Mn greater than 10 4 , Mw/Mn is less than 10 and for Mn less than 10 4 , Mw/Mn is less than 25.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the deformation ratio is at least 20.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the polymer is attenuated on a draw frame at a speed of from 30 to 150 cm per minute at a temperature of from 5° to 20° C. below the melting point of the polymer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the attenuation is carried out in incremental stages, allowing the polymer to rest between successive stages.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1, in which there is produced a fiber or film.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 12, in which the diameter of the fiber or the thickness of the film before attenuation is less than 1 mm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the crystallizable polymer is polyoxymethylene.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 14, wherein attenuation is effected at a temperature of about 140° C.
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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) | 1984-08-31 | 1985-03-02 | 1985-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-31 | 1989-03-02 | 1989-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-31 | 1993-03-02 | 1993-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |