Method of synthesizing a thermally conductive and stretchable polymer composite
US11732172B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 4, 2019 |
| Grant date | Aug 22, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 2, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC08K2201/005
- WIPO fieldMacromolecular chemistry, polymers
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method for synthesizing a thermally conductive and stretchable elastomer composite comprises mixing liquid metal and soft material (e.g., elastomer) in a centrifugal or industrial shear mixer under conditions such that the liquid metal forms microscale liquid metal droplets that are dispersed in the soft elastomer. Liquid metal-embedded elastomers, or “LMEEs,” formed in this manner dramatically increase the fracture energy of soft materials up to 50 times over an unfilled polymer. This extreme toughening is achieved by means of (i) increasing energy dissipation, (ii) adaptive crack movement, and (iii) effective elimination of the crack tip. Such properties arise from the deformability and dynamic rearrangement of the LM inclusions during loading, providing a new mechanism to not only prevent crack initiation, but also resist the propagation of existing tears for ultra-tough, highly functional soft materials.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.