US4666961A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Co-continuous dispersions of incompatible polymers in polymer matrices
Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
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Filing: 1986-03-21
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Granted: 1987-05-19
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Expires: 2006-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A method of making and composition for a co-continuous dispersion of incompatible polymers in a polymer matrix comprises forming a solution of the incompatible polymers in a solvent which is common to both polymers and rapidly evaporating the solvent. The remaining material is in the form of the polymer matrix.
Inventors
- 👤 E. Bruce Nauman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:11
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08J; C08J3/00; C08J3/005; C08L; C08L57/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of manufacturing a two phase co-continuous dispersion of a first polymer in a matrix of a second polymer where the polymers are incompatible initially and have high molecular weights, comprising forming a single-phase mixture of the first and second polymers in a sufficient amount of a solvent which is common to the first and the second polymers and which does not constitute more than about 99% by weight of said single-phase mixture, the solvent being selected to be sufficiently volatile so that it can be evaporated at temperatures which are not destructive to the polymers and the solvent-free volume fraction of the first polymer being from about 0.2 to about 0.5, heating the single phase mixture under pressure, and thereafter introducing the mixture into a zone of reduced pressure for flash evaporating the solvent to form a two phase mixture and the matrix, the pressure being selected so that after the flash evaporating the two phase mixture contains about 50% solvent.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of manufacturing a two phase co-continuous dispersion of a first polymer in a matrix of a second polymer where the polymers are incompatible initially and have high molecular weights, comprising forming a single-phase mixture of the first and second polymers in a sufficient amount of a solvent which is common to the first and the second polymers and which does not constitute more than about 99% by weight of said single-phase mixture, the solvent being selected to be sufficiently volatile so that it can be evaporated at temperatures which are not destructive to the polymers and the solvent-free volume fraction of the first polymer being from about 0.2 to about 0.5, heating the single phase mixture under pressure, and thereafter introducing the mixture into a zone of reduced pressure for flash evaporating the solvent to form a two phase mixture and the matrix, the pressure being selected so that after the flash evaporating the two phase mixture contains about 50% solvent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the first polymer is selected from the group consisting of polybutadiene, polystyrene, and EPDM rubber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the second polymer is chosen from the group consisting of polystyrene, polybutadiene, EPDM rubber, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, high MW alkylated phenolic resin, and high MW coating resin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of O-xylene, styrene, toluene, tetrahydrofuran, and 1,2 dicholobenzene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, including adding a surface-active agent to the single-phase mixture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein the surface-active agent is chosen from the group consisting of AB, ABA, BAB block polymers where the A-block is compatible with the matrix and the B-block is compatible with the dispersed polymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A composition of matter having a finely dispersed first polymer in a mixture of a second polymer and made according to the method of claim 1, the composition comprising a dispersion of a first finely divided polymer in a matrix of a second polymer which is incompatible with said first polymer, particles of said first polymer being less than one micron in a diameter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
A composition according to claim 7, comprising a matrix phase of polystyrene-acrylonitrile copolymer and a dispersed phase of lightly crosslinked rubber in the absence of substantial concentrations of surfactant other than surface-active agents comprising AB, ABA or BAB block copolymers where A-block is compatible with the matrix phase and B-block is compatible with the dispersed phase.
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) | 1990-05-18 | 1990-11-17 | 1991-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-18 | 1994-11-17 | 1995-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-18 | 1998-11-17 | 1999-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |