Process for surface finishing insoluble plastics

Claim 1

A process for surface finishing inert, insoluble plastic component parts, comprising: selecting a component part made of an inert, insoluble plastic material, said plastic material being substantially insoluble in organic solvents including a selected fluid medium at room temperature and being soluble in organic solvents including said fluid medium at standard, substantially atmospheric pressure only when heated to a temperature at which the part will deform; preheating said component part to a selected temperature; placing said preheated component part within a substantially gas-tight environment; adding said selected fluid medium into said substantially gas-tight environment; said fluid medium being liquid at room temperature and being vaporizable within said environment at a treatment temperature below said temperature at which the component part will deform, and said selected fluid medium being a fluid in which the inert, insoluble plastic component is insolubilizable at room temperature and at all temperatures below said temperature at which the component part will deform; heating said added selected fluid medium to said treatment temperature while said environment is maintained gas-tight to vaporize said fluid medium and to develop a positive vapor pressure within said substantially gas-tight environment, said vapor pressure forming a treatment pressure within said substantially gas-tight environment that is greater than said standard, substantially atmospheric pressure, said treatment pressure being between about 31/2 to 15 pounds per square inch (gauge); contacting the preheated component part, while at a temperature less than the treatment temperature, with said fluid medium at said greater than atmosphere treatment pressure to liquify the surfaces of said part while within said gas tight pressurized environment; and solidifying said liquified surfaces of said component part.