Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Method for producing porous articles from alternating poly(ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) and articles produced therefrom
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Application No.: US14811510Application Date: 2015-07-28
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Publication No.: US09932429B2Publication Date: 2018-04-03
- Inventor: Guy A. Sbriglia
- Applicant: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
- Applicant Address: US DE Newark
- Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
- Current Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: US DE Newark
- Agent Amy L. Miller
- Main IPC: B29C55/02
- IPC: B29C55/02 ; C08F214/26 ; B29C43/24 ; B29C51/26 ; B29C47/00 ; B29C55/00 ; B29D99/00 ; B29C47/92 ; B29C43/00 ; B01D71/32 ; H01M2/16 ; B29K27/12 ; B29L7/00 ; B29K105/04

Abstract:
Poly(ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE) polymers having an average molecular weight of at least 300,000 g/mol and a melt enthalpy of at least 57 J/g are provided. The ETFE polymer may include at least one additional comonomer. The ETFE polymer is used to form a porous tape or membrane that has a node and fibril structure. A porous ETFE tape may be formed by lubricating the ETFE polymer and subjecting the lubricated polymer to pressure at a temperature below the melting point of the ETFE polymer. Optionally, the ETFE tape may be expanded at a temperature below the melting temperature of the ETFE polymer to form an expanded ETFE membrane. Alternatively, the ETFE polymer may subjected to heat and pressure without the addition of a lubricant to form a dense preform. The dense preform may be subsequently slit in a length direction and stretched to form a dense ETFE fiber.
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