Thermally-conductive plastic articles having light reflecting surfaces

• US 7,235,918 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2003
• Issued: 06/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ticona Polymers, Inc. (Celanese Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cool Options, Inc.
• Inventors: McCullough, Kevin, Sagal, E. Mikhail, Miller, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Santiago; Mariceli
• Application Number:
  US10/459,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20040251804A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,476 Days
• Field of Search: 313/113, 313/318.11, 362/487, 362/507, 362/506, 362/499, 362/514, 362/519, 362/296, 362/310, 362/587, 359/520, 359/522, 359/524, 359/528, 359/529, 359/533, 359/548
• US Class Current: 313/114
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/0013 using fillers dispersed in the moulding material, e.g. metal particles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/88 characterised primarily by possessing specific properties, e.g. electrically conductive or locally reinforced
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0013 Conductive
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/003 Reflective
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2011/0083 Reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 3/04 Carbon
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/37 characterised by their material, surface treatment or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/505 of reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/28 characterised by coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2103/00 Exterior vehicle lighting devices for signalling purposes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1355 Elemental metal containing [e.g., substrate, foil, film, coating, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31504 Composite [nonstructural laminate]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31507 Of polycarbonate

Abstract

A thermally-conductive polymer composition suitable for making molded reflector articles having light-reflecting surfaces is provided. The composition comprises: a) about 20% to about 80% by weight of a base polymer matrix such as polycarbonate; and b) about 20% to about 80% by weight of a thermally-conductive carbon material such as graphite. The composition can be used to make reflector articles such as housings for automotive tail lamps, head lamps, and other lighting fixtures. A method for manufacturing reflector articles is also provided.

Claims

1. A molded reflector article having a light-reflecting surface, said article comprising:

about 50% to about 80% by weight of a base polymer matrix; and

about 20% to about 50% by weight of a thermally-conductive carbon material, the composition having a thermal conductivity of greater than 10 W/m°

K.

2. The molded reflector article of claim 1, wherein the article is in the form of a housing for an automotive tail lamp.

3. The molded reflector article of claim 1, wherein the article is in the form of a housing for an automotive head lamp.

4. The molded reflector article of claim 1, wherein the polymer matrix comprises a thermoplastic polymer.

5. The molded reflector article of claim 1, wherein the polymer matrix comprises a thermosetting polymer.

6. The molded reflector article of claim 1, wherein the polymer composition further comprises about 5% to about 30% by weight of a reinforcing material.

7. The molded reflector article of claim 1, wherein the polymer composition comprises about 74% by weight of polycarbonate, about 24% by weight of carbon graphite, and about 1% by weight of a mold-releasing agent.