US4923737A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surface modified plastic and composite articles and method
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corp
•
Filing: 1988-10-20
•
Granted: 1990-05-08
•
Expires: 2008-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A method of forming a metal-containing surface on a fiber-reinforced composite plastic article is disclosed. The method entails using a "metal cloth" which is prepared from fibrillated polytetrafluorethylene containing metal or other particles entrapped in the fibrils. The resultant molded or laminated shaped articles exhibit improved wear resistance and other properties due to the integration and encapsulation of the metal cloth into the plastic surface.
Inventors
- 👤 William De La Torre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:36
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C70/00; B29C70/02; B29C70/021; B29C70/025; B29C37/00; B29C37/0025; B29C37/0028; B29C37/0032; B29C43/00; B29C43/02; B29C43/20; B29C43/203; B29C2037/0039; B29C33/00; B29C33/56; B29C33/60; B29K; B29K2027/00; B29K2027/12; B29K2027/18; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/06; B29K2105/12; B29K2105/16; B29K2705/00; B29K2705/08; B29K2705/12; B29K2709/00; B29K2709/02; B29K2709/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24942; Y10T428/24983; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249924; Y10T428/24994; Y10T428/249941; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31511; Y10T428/31529; Y10T428/3154; Y10T428/31544; Y10T428/31678; Y10T428/31681; Y10T428/31692; Y10T428/31721
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of modifying the surface properties of a shaped plastic article which comprises: (i) providing a release mold of the shaped article; (ii) applying atop the release mold a metal cloth which comprises fibrillate polytetrafluorethylene having particulate matter entrapped in the fibrils; (iii) placing a thermosetting polymeric resin atop the metal cloth; and (iv) heating the structure produced by (i)-(iii) for a sufficient period of time and at a sufficient temperature and pressure as to cause the resin to flow into and encapsulate in the metal cloth and cure to form the shaped article.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of modifying the surface properties of a shaped plastic article which comprises: (i) providing a release mold of the shaped article; (ii) applying atop the release mold a metal cloth which comprises fibrillate polytetrafluorethylene having particulate matter entrapped in the fibrils; (iii) placing a thermosetting polymeric resin atop the metal cloth; and (iv) heating the structure produced by (i)-(iii) for a sufficient period of time and at a sufficient temperature and pressure as to cause the resin to flow into and encapsulate in the metal cloth and cure to form the shaped article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the release mold is one which is coated with a release means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the particulate matter is a metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of tungsten carbide, iron/nickel alloys, tungsten carbide-nickel alloys, tungsten-titanium carbide, titanium carbide, chromium carbide, cobalt-based alloys and iron-based alloys.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the metal comprises tungsten carbide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the particulate matter is a non-metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the non-metal is selected from the group consisting of refractory carbides, nitrides, and oxides.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the resin is selected from the group consisting of epoxy resins, bismaleimides, and thermoplastics having a melting point below about 400° F.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the resin is reinforced with fibrous material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the fibrous material is selected from the group consisting of carbon, glass, metal, and/or ceramic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the heating is at a temperature of about 80° to about 250° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pressure is from about 80 to about 300 psi.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the release mold is coated with a release means comprising teflon sheet or silicone liquid; the particulate matter comprises tungsten carbide; the resin is selected from epoxy and polyimide resins; the heating is at a temperature of about 80 to about 250° C., a pressure of about 80 to 300 psi, for about 120 to about 240 minutes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the mold is inherently mold-releasable and no additional mold release means is used.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of forming a metallic-filled-resin composite surface on a shaped plastic article which comprises: (i) providing a release mold of the shaped article to be formed; (ii) applying atop the release mold a metal cloth which comprises fibrillated polytetrafluorethylene having metal particles entrapped in the fibrils; (iii) placing a thermosetting polymeric resin atop the metal cloth; and (iv) heating the structure produced by (i)-(iii) for a sufficient period of time and at a sufficient temperature and pressure as to cause the resin to flow into and encapsulate in the metal cloth and cure to form the shaped article.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of forming a metallic-filled-resin composite surface on a shaped plastic article which comprises: (i) providing a release mold of the shaped article to be formed; (ii) applying atop the release mold a metal cloth which comprises fibrillated polytetrafluorethylene having metal particles entrapped in the fibrils; (iii) placing a thermosetting polymeric resin atop the metal cloth; and (iv) heating the structure produced by (i)-(iii) for a sufficient period of time and at a sufficient temperature and pressure as to cause the resin to flow into and encapsulate in the metal cloth and cure to form the shaped article.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the release mold in one which is coated with a release means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of tungsten carbide, iron/nickel alloys, tungsten carbide-nickel alloys, tungsten-titanium carbide, titanium carbide, chromium carbide, cobalt-based alloys and iron-based alloys.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the metal comprises tungsten carbide.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the resin is selected from the group consisting of epoxy resins, polyimides and thermoplastic resins having a melting point below about 400° F.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the resin is reinforced with fibrous material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the fibrous material is selected from the group consisting of carbon, glass, metal, and/or ceramic.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the release mold is coated with a release means comprising teflon sheets or silicon liquid; the particulate matter comprises tungsten carbide; the resin is selected from epoxy and bismaleimide resins; the heating is at a temperature of about 80 to about 250° C., a pressure of about 80 to 300 psi, for about 120 to about 240 minutes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the mold is inherently mold-releasable and no additional mold release means is used.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
65 words
A molded, shaped plastic article having an integral metal-filled-resin composite surface, comprising a molded body of a thermoset polymeric resin having an integral surface portion comprising a fibrillated polytetrafluorethylene metal cloth having particulate matter entrapped in the fibrils thereof, said metal cloth being integrated with said polymeric resin during the molding of said plastic article under sufficient heat and pressure to cure said polymeric resin.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
65 words
A molded, shaped plastic article having an integral metal-filled-resin composite surface, comprising a molded body of a thermoset polymeric resin having an integral surface portion comprising a fibrillated polytetrafluorethylene metal cloth having particulate matter entrapped in the fibrils thereof, said metal cloth being integrated with said polymeric resin during the molding of said plastic article under sufficient heat and pressure to cure said polymeric resin.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The article of claim 24 wherein the particulate matter comprises metal particles.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The article of claim 25 wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of tungsten carbide, iron/nickel alloys, tungsten carbide-nickel alloys, tungsten-titanium carbide, titanium carbide, chromium carbide, cobalt-based alloys and iron-based alloys.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
11 words
The article of claim 25 wherein the metal comprises tungsten carbide.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The article of claim 23 wherein the particulate matter comprises a non-metal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The article of claim 28 wherein the non-metal is selected from the group consisting of refractory carbides, nitrides, and oxides.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The article of claim 24 wherein the resin is selected from the group consisting of epoxy resins, bismaleimides, and resins having a melting point below about 400° F.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
The article of claim 30 wherein the resin is reinforced with fibrous material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article of claim 31 wherein the fibrous material is selected from the group consisting of carbon, glass, metal, and/or ceramic.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3030248A
Cited
US3389749A
Cited
US4194040A
Cited
US3708387A
Cited
US3950599A
Cited
US4147824A
Cited
US4124676A
Cited
US4208472A
Cited
US4292919A
Cited
US4517247A
Cited
US4624860A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-05-07 | 1993-11-06 | 1994-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-07 | 1997-11-06 | 1998-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-07 | 2001-11-06 | 2002-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |