WORK PIECE COMPRISING METAL POLYMER COMPOSITE WITH METAL INSERT

• US 20110236699A1
• Filed: 03/29/2011
• Published: 09/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tundra Composites, LLC.
• Original Assignee: Tundra Composites, LLC.
• Inventors: Heikkila, Kurt E.
• Application Number:
  US13/074,626
• Publication Number:
  US 20110236699A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/457
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 85/00 Artificial bait for fishing
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 95/005 Sinkers not containing lead
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 3/08 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 5/0091 Complexes with metal-heteroatom-bonds
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31678 Of metal

Abstract

The invention relates to product categories using a metal polymer composite having properties that are enhanced or increased in the composite. Such properties include color, magnetism, thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, density, improved malleability, abrasion resistant, structural strength, and ductility and thermoplastic or injection molding properties. Useful articles and shapes may be made from the polymer composite using processes such as injection molding.

Claims

1. An injection molding material which comprises a metal and polymer viscoelastic composite material comprising:

a) a metal particulate;

b) about 0.6 to 53 wt. % of a crystalline polymer phase; and

c) an interfacial modifier;

wherein the material maintains substantial modulus.

2. The injection molding material of claim 1 further comprising at least one abrasion resistant or structural material that is different from the composite material, wherein the abrasion resistant or structural material and the composite material are combined to provide an industrial part.

3. A molding material as in claim 1, wherein the particulate is spherical.

4. A molding material as in claim 1, wherein the polymer phase comprises a crystalline polyamide polymer.

5. A molding material as in claim 1, wherein the interfacial modifier is selected from the group consisting of zirconates, titanates and stearates,

6. A molding material as in claim 1, wherein the abrasion resistant or structural material is a high modulus material.

7. A molding material as in claim 6, wherein the abrasion resistant or structural material is a metal, inorganic or organic material.

8. A molding material as in claim 6, wherein the high modulus material is stainless steel.

9. A molding material as in claim 1, wherein the abrasion resistant material is formed with the composite material.

10. A molding material as in claim 1, wherein the abrasion resistant material is formed on the surface of the composite material in a post-processing step.

11. An article comprising metal and polymer viscoelastic composite material comprising the composite material comprising:

i)

a) a metal particulate;

b) a polymer phase;

c) an interfacial modifier; and

ii) at least one abrasion resistant or structural material that is different from the composite material i) and the abrasion resistant or structural material and the composite material are combined to provide the article.

12. An article as in claim 11 selected from the group consisting of lock parts, industrial fasteners, screws, compressor assemblies, pump parts, diaphragm pumps, and paint guns.

13. An article as in claim 12, wherein the article is a lock part.

14. An article as in claim 13, wherein the article is a tongue pin.

15. A molding process for a metal and polymer viscoelastic composite, the composite comprising:

i) a metal particulate;

ii) a polymer phase; and

iii) an interfacial modifier;

the method comprising;

i) coating the metal particulate with the interfacial modifier;

ii) combining the interfacially modified coated metal particulate with the polymer to form a composite mix; and

iii) injecting the mix into a mold.

16. The molding process of claim 15 further comprising:

including at least one abrasion resistant or structural material that is different from the composite material comprising the body of an industrial part.

17. A frangible projectile comprising a metal and polymer viscoelastic composite comprising:

i) a metal particulate;

ii) a crystalline polymer phase; and

iii) an interfacial modifier;

wherein the frangible projectile shatters into at least one fragment upon impact with a hard surface.

18. A method of molding a frangible projectile comprising a metal and polymer viscoelastic composite comprising:

i) combining a metal particulate, a crystalline polymer and an interfacial modifier into a composite mix;

ii) injecting the composite mix into a mold;

iii) removing the frangible projectile from the mold.