METHOD FOR JOINING THERMOPLASTIC POLYMER MATERIAL
First Claim
1. A method for joining two components, the method comprising:
- positioning a thermoplastic polymer portion of a first component adjacent a thermoplastic polymer portion of a second component such that the first and second portions form an interface, wherein at least one of the portions includes a microstructure having a plurality of closed cells, each cell containing a void and each cell having a maximum dimension extending across the void within the cell that ranges between 1 micrometer and 200 micrometers long; and
exerting pressure on the thermoplastic polymer portions to forma bond at the interface that holds the portions together.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for joining two components includes positioning a thermoplastic polymer portion of a first component adjacent a thermoplastic polymer portion of a second component such that the first and second portions form an interface. At least one of the portions includes a microstructure having a plurality of closed cells, each cell containing a void and each cell having a maximum dimension extending across the void. The method also includes exerting pressure on the thermoplastic polymer portions to form a bond at the interface that holds the portions together. The plurality of closed cells, and especially those adjacent the surface of the thermoplastic polymer portion that form the interface, help isolate thermally and/or chemically the surface from the remainder of the portion.
3 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for joining two components, the method comprising:
-
positioning a thermoplastic polymer portion of a first component adjacent a thermoplastic polymer portion of a second component such that the first and second portions form an interface, wherein at least one of the portions includes a microstructure having a plurality of closed cells, each cell containing a void and each cell having a maximum dimension extending across the void within the cell that ranges between 1 micrometer and 200 micrometers long; and exerting pressure on the thermoplastic polymer portions to forma bond at the interface that holds the portions together. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method for making a panel, the method comprising:
-
positioning a first thermoplastic polymer sheet adjacent a second thermoplastic polymer sheet such that the first and second sheets form an interface, wherein at least one of the sheets includes a microstructure having a plurality of closed cells, each cell containing a void and each cell having a maximum dimension extending across the void within the cell that ranges between 1 micrometer and 200 micrometers long; and exerting pressure on the thermoplastic polymer sheets to form a bond at the interface that holds the sheets together. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification