Laminated reinforced flexible graphic article

• US 5,830,809 A
• Filed: 07/03/1996
• Issued: 11/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: UCAR Graph-Tech Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ucar Carbon Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Howard, Ronald Albert, Mercuri, Robert Angelo
• Primary Examiner(s): DIXON, MERRICK L
• Application Number:
  US08/674,897
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 428/408, 428/246, 428/251, 428/421, 428/422, 156/62.2, 156/273.9, 156/282, 156/309.9, 156/324, 156/359, 156/555, 156/275, 156/306.6, 156/275.5, 277/227, 277/233, 277/DIG. 6
• US Class Current: 442/59
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/54 Yield strength; Tensile strength
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2309/02 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/06 as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/302 comprising aromatic vinyl (co)polymers, e.g. styrenic (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/308 comprising acrylic (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/32 comprising polyolefins comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/34 comprising polyamides
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/04 characterised by the partial melting of at least one layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/06 characterised by the heating method
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/08 characterised by the cooling method
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 9/007 comprising carbon, e.g. graphite, composite carbon
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 9/045 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1741 Progressive continuous bonding press [e.g., roll couples]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2995 Silane, siloxane or silicone coating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/30 Self-sustaining carbon mass or layer with impregnant or other layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/20 Coated or impregnated woven, knit, or nonwoven fabric which is not [a] associated with another preformed layer or fiber layer or, [b] with respect to woven and knit, characterized, respectively, by a particular or differential weave or knit, wherein the coating or impregnation is neither a foamed material nor a free metal or alloy layer

Abstract

Method and assembly for reinforcing flexible graphite by fusion bonding a film of thermoplastic polymer to the flexible graphite to form a laminiated product. One side of the thermoplastic polymer is raised to its softening temperature to cause it to bond to the flexible graphite while the opposite side thereof is maintained at a temperature below its softening point.

Claims

1. A two layer laminated composite consisting of a first and second layer being in the form of a sheet of flexible graphite as the first layer and a thin film of thermoplastic polymer of under 3.0 mils in thickness superimposed on said sheet of flexible graphite as the second layer, said superimposed film having initially unsoftened opposed surfaces with one said surface of said superimposed film being contiguous said flexible graphite sheet and being fusion bonded directly thereto by thermal softening only of said contiguous film surface and the opposed film surface being unsoftened and forming an outer surface of said two layer laminated composite.

2. A laminated composite in accordance with claim 1 wherein the film and graphite are in a ratio such that the volume percent of polymer in said composite is between 0.5 and 10%.