US4560577A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oxidation protection coatings for polymers
Assignee: United States, NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION THE, Secretary of
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Filing: 1984-09-14
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Granted: 1985-12-24
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Expires: 2004-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A polymeric substrate 10 is coated with a metal oxide film 22 to provide oxidation protection in low earth orbital environments. The film contains about 4 volume percent polymer to provide flexibility. A coil of polymer material 30, 42 moves through an ion beam 14 as it is fed between reels. The ion beam first cleans the polymer material surface and then sputters the film material from a target 24 onto this surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Mirtich
- 👤 James S. Sovey
- 👤 Bruce A. Banks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:47
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/06; C23C14/02; C23C14/021; C23C14/022; C23C14/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31721
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of protecting a polymeric material from oxidation comprising the steps of mounting said material in a vacuum environment, exposing said material to a beam of ions in said vacuum environment thereby cleaning absorbed gases and contaminants from a surface of said material, and mounting a sputter target having a metal oxide portion and a polymer portion in said ion beam for simultaneous co-sputtering thereby sputter coating said cleaned surface in said vacuum environment immediately after cleaning with a continuous thin film comprising a metal oxide and a polymer in a predetermined ratio to form an oxidation barrier.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of protecting a polymeric material from oxidation comprising the steps of mounting said material in a vacuum environment, exposing said material to a beam of ions in said vacuum environment thereby cleaning absorbed gases and contaminants from a surface of said material, and mounting a sputter target having a metal oxide portion and a polymer portion in said ion beam for simultaneous co-sputtering thereby sputter coating said cleaned surface in said vacuum environment immediately after cleaning with a continuous thin film comprising a metal oxide and a polymer in a predetermined ratio to form an oxidation barrier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of protecting a polymeric material from oxidation as claimed in claim 1 wherein the metal oxide is co-sputtered simultaneously with a polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of protecting a polymeric material from oxidation as claimed in claim 2 wherein the metal oxide and polymer are co-sputtered to form a thin film having a thickness between about 50 angstroms and about 800 angstroms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of protecting a polymeric material from oxidation as claimed in claim 3 wherein the thin film contains a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of protecting a polymeric material from oxidation as claimed in claim 4 wherein the thin film contains a polymer selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene and silicone rubber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of protecting a polymeric material as claimed in claim 5 wherein the thin film contains about 96 volume percent SiO 2 and about 4 volume percent polytetrafluoroethylene.
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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) | 1988-12-23 | 1989-06-24 | 1989-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-23 | 1993-06-24 | 1993-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-23 | 1997-06-24 | 1997-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |