Fluoropolymer hollow fiber membrane with fluoro-copolymer and fluoro-terpolymer bonded end portion(s) and method to fabricate
US9248412B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 12, 2013 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 6, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/1049
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A hollow fiber membrane fluid transport device's method of manufacture is disclosed wherein the fibers are comprised of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and the potting materials are comprised of fluoropolymer based materials. The potting method described herein, utilizes a compressed chemically resistant fluorocopolymer and or fluoroterpolymer film, allows for ease of manufacture without destruction of the PTFE hollow fibers, with high packing densities, and without the processing complexity of pre-melting, extruding, or chemical crosslinking of any polymeric adhesives. Furthermore, the PTFE hollow fibers can be treated with a fluoropolymeric solvent solution before the chemically resistant film is applied to enhance the adhesion of the PTFE fiber to the film. PTFE hollow fibers, and its respective fluoro-co and terpolymers as potting films, impart high packing densities, superb chemical resistance and temperature resistance without membrane contamination, or low fiber pull strength, as is sometimes observed with standard potting materials such as polyurethane and epoxy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.