Reflective self-metallizing polyimide films

US5677418A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• David W. Thompson · New Albany, US
• Maggie L. Caplan · Sun City West, US
• Anne K. St. Clair · Poquoson, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 14, 1995
• Grant date: Oct 14, 1997
• Expiry date: Jun 14, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C08J2379/08
• WIPO field: Surface technology, coating
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A silver organic complex, such as silver acetate, is solubilized in a polyamic acid resin or soluble polyimide solution using a suitable solvent such as hexafluoroacetyl acetone. The mixture is stable and can be applied to both flat and contoured surfaces. Application can be performed by casting, dip-coating, spraying, or other suitable techniques. In addition, the mixture can be cast or extruded as a polyimide film which is not applied to an underlying substrate. Upon curing, a flexible silver coated polyimide film is produced.