Method of forming metal fiber mat/polymer composite
US5226210A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 21, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 21, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T442/655
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a metal/polymer composite comprising a polymeric substrate and a sintered mat of randomly-oriented metal fibers embedded therein, the fibers having a substantially circular cross-section and a diameter of about 10 to 200 .mu.m. The polymeric substrate is typically a thin, flexible sheet-like material having a pair of planar surfaces. The polymeric substrate is preferably thermoformable. If thermoformability is desired the metal will have a melting point of less than the thermoforming temperature of the polymeric substrate. The thermoformable metal/polymer composite of the present invention may be stretched to at least 20%, and often can be stretched at least 200% of its original dimensions, at least in certain regions, without loss of electrical continuity or EMI shielding properties. The present invention also provides a method of making a metal/polymer composite and a sintered mat of randomly-oriented metal fibers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.