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US5130161A
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Process for hardening the surface of polymers
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1991-03-25
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Granted: 1992-07-14
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Expires: 2011-03-25
Abstract
Abstract Hard surfaced polymers and the method for making them is generally described. Polymers are subjected to simultaneous multiple ion beam bombardment, that results in a hardening of the surface and improved wear resistance.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis K. Mansur
- 👤 Eal H. Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:17
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C59/00; B29C59/16; C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/06; C23C14/14; C23C14/20; C23C14/22; C23C14/48; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/08; B29C35/0866; B29C2035/0872; B29K; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0037; B29K2995/007; B29K2995/0087
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A process for hardening the surface of a polymer comprising the steps of: providing a polymer having a surface; and, bombarding said surface of said polymer by ion implantation with ions of elements that when reacted with the elements of said polymer will form a compound having a hardness greater than the hardness of said polymer, the energy level of said ions being at least about 0.2 MeV, so that said surface of said polymer is hardened.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A process for hardening the surface of a polymer comprising the steps of: providing a polymer having a surface; and, bombarding said surface of said polymer by ion implantation with ions of elements that when reacted with the elements of said polymer will form a compound having a hardness greater than the hardness of said polymer, the energy level of said ions being at least about 0.2 MeV, so that said surface of said polymer is hardened.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said alloying elements are those that are carbide forming.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said alloying elements are selected from the group consisting of Si, Zr and W.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said polymers are those that are able to withstand ion beam bombardment without surface softening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said polymers are selected from the group consisting of Kapton, Lexan, Teflon, Tefzel, PET and PEEK.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said bombarding step further comprises the simultaneous ion implantation of at least two different ions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said surface of said polymer is made wear resistant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
A process for hardening the surface of a polymer comprising the steps of: providing a polymer having a surface; and, bombarding said surface of said polymer by ion implantation with ions of alloying elements that react together to form a compound having a hardness greater than the hardness of said polymer, the energy level of said ions being at least about 0.2 MeV, so that said surface of said polymer is hardened.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
A process for hardening the surface of a polymer comprising the steps of: providing a polymer having a surface; and, bombarding said surface of said polymer by ion implantation with ions of alloying elements that react together to form a compound having a hardness greater than the hardness of said polymer, the energy level of said ions being at least about 0.2 MeV, so that said surface of said polymer is hardened.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said alloying elements are carbon and one or more carbide forming elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said alloying elements are silicon and one or more silicide forming elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said alloying elements are nitrogen and one or more nitride forming elements.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said alloying elements are oxygen and one or more oxide forming elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said polymers are those that are able to withstand ion beam bombardment without surface softening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said polymers are selected from the group consisting of Kapton, Lexan, Teflon, Tefzel, PET and PEEK.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said bombarding step further comprises the simultaneous ion implantation of at least two different ions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said surface of said polymer is made wear resistant.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
70 words
A process for hardening the surface of a polymer comprising the steps of: providing a polymer having a surface; and, bombarding said surface of said polymer by ion implantation with ions of alloying elements that react with the elements of said polymer to effect chemical crosslinking among polymer chains, the energy level of said ions being at least about 0.2 MeV, so that said surface of said polymer is hardened.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
70 words
A process for hardening the surface of a polymer comprising the steps of: providing a polymer having a surface; and, bombarding said surface of said polymer by ion implantation with ions of alloying elements that react with the elements of said polymer to effect chemical crosslinking among polymer chains, the energy level of said ions being at least about 0.2 MeV, so that said surface of said polymer is hardened.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 17 wherein said alloying elements are multivalent elements.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 17 wherein said alloying elements are selected from the group consisting of C, Fe, B, Cr, V, Ti, Hf and S.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 17 wherein said polymers are those that are able to withstand ion beam bombardment without surface softening.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 20 wherein said polymers are selected from the group consisting of Kapton, Lexan, Teflon, Tefzel, PET and PEEK.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 17 wherein said bombarding step further comprises the simultaneous ion implantation of at least two different ions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 17 wherein said surface of said polymer is made wear resistant.
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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) | 1995-07-14 | 1996-01-13 | 1996-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-14 | 2000-01-13 | 2000-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-14 | 2004-01-13 | 2004-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |