US4221697A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Composite materials
Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1978-01-23
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Granted: 1980-09-09
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Expires: 1998-01-23
Abstract
Abstract Stable, fluid, moldable and curable compositions are described from which may be fabricated composite materials, of improved mechanical properties, comprising an organic polymer matrix and a particulate inorganic reinforcing phase dispersed in and bonded to the matrix. The fluid compositions comprise (A) a polymerizable organic liquid having a viscosity not greater than 50 poise at the molding temperature, (B) inorganic filler particles of defined size constituting at least 20% by volume, and optionally up to 90% by volume, of the total composition, and (C) a defined polymeric dispersant whereby the filler particles are stably dispersed in the polymerizable liquid. The generally low viscosity of the curable compositions enables them to be cast by simple techniques and polymerization of the component (A) yields the above-described composite materials.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter G. Osborn
- 👤 Desmond W. J. Osmond
- 👤 Barrie J. Thorpe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:29
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08L; C08L33/00; C08L33/04; C08F; C08F2/00; C08F2/44; C08G; C08G2/00; C08G2/10; C08G65/00; C08G65/02; C08K; C08K3/00; C08K3/01; C08K3/013; C08L63/00; C08L63/10; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/13; Y10T428/1352; Y10T428/1372; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249962; Y10T428/249964; Y10T428/249987; Y10T428/249991; Y10T428/249992; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/259
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A stable, fluid, mouldable and curable composition comprising (A) an organic liquid which is polymerisable to form a solid polymer and has a viscosity not greater than 50 poise at the temperature at which the composition is to be moulded, (B) finely divided particles of one or more inorganic fillers having a maximum size of 100 microns, at least 95% by number of the particles being of a size 10 microns or less, and the surface area of the particles being from 20 m 2 /cc to 1 m 2 /cc, the said particles constituting from 35 to 85% by volume of the total composition, and (C) a polymeric dispersant containing at least one component of molecular weight at least 500 which is solvated by the polymerisable organic liquid (A), and containing one or more groupings which are capable of associating with, and effecting anchoring to, the particles of the inorganic filler (B) whereby the filler particles are maintained in a state of stably deflocculated dispersion in the polymerisable liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A stable, fluid, mouldable and curable composition comprising (A) an organic liquid which is polymerisable to form a solid polymer and has a viscosity not greater than 50 poise at the temperature at which the composition is to be moulded, (B) finely divided particles of one or more inorganic fillers having a maximum size of 100 microns, at least 95% by number of the particles being of a size 10 microns or less, and the surface area of the particles being from 20 m 2 /cc to 1 m 2 /cc, the said particles constituting from 35 to 85% by volume of the total composition, and (C) a polymeric dispersant containing at least one component of molecular weight at least 500 which is solvated by the polymerisable organic liquid (A), and containing one or more groupings which are capable of associating with, and effecting anchoring to, the particles of the inorganic filler (B) whereby the filler particles are maintained in a state of stably deflocculated dispersion in the polymerisable liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polymerisable organic liquid (A) is a liquid monomer or a liquid mixture of monomers which can be polymerised to form a solid polymer in which the repeat units in the polymer chain are linked through carbon-carbon bonds.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A composition as claimed in claim 2, wherein the monomer or each monomer is an unsaturated monomer capable of undergoing addition polymerisation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A composition as claimed in claim 3, wherein the monomer or at least one of the monomers is methyl methacrylate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polymerisable organic liquid (A) is a mixture of one or more preformed polymers with a liquid monomer or a liquid mixture of monomers which can be polymerized to form a solid polymer in which the repeat units in the polymer chain are linked through carbon-carbon bonds.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polymerisable liquid has a viscosity not greater than 1 poise.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein more than 99% by number of the particles of the inorganic filler (B) are of a size 10 microns or less.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein the maximum size of any particle present is 50 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein the particles have a surface area of from 20 m 2 /cc to 2 m 2 /cc.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polymerisable organic liquid (A) gives rise to a polymer which is glassy and the inorganic filler particles (B) constitute from 50% to 80% by volume of the total curable composition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polymeric dispersant (C) is a random copolymer which is solvatable by the polymerisable liquid (A) and in which there are present from 1% to 20% by weight of monomer units carrying groups capable of associating with the filler particles (B).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the particle-associating groupings in the polymeric dispersant (C) are polar groupings groupings which have a specific affinity for complementary polar groupings present on the particle surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A composition as claimed in claim 3, wherein the polymerisable organic liquid (A) is methyl methacrylate and the polymeric dispersant (C) is a random copolymer of methyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A composition as claimed in claim 3, wherein the polymerisable organic liquid (A) is methyl methacrylate and the polymeric dispersant (C) is a random copolymer of methyl methacrylate and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is also present as a further constituent a low molecular weight agent for bonding the polymer matrix to the filler particles.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A composition as set forth in claim 13 in which said polymeric dispersant has been converted to a metal salt thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A composition as set forth in claim 14 in which said polymeric dispersant has been converted to a quaternary or acid salt thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
86 words
A method for the production of stable, fluid, mouldable and curable compositions according to claim 1 which comprises dispersing, in said organic liquid (A) which is polymerisable to form a solid polymer and which has a viscosity not greater than 50 poise at the temperature at which the composition is to be moulded, said finely divided particles (B) of an inorganic filler, in the presence of said polymeric dispersant (C), so that the filler particles constitute from 35 to 85% by volume of the total composition.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the filler particles (B) are produced in the presence of the polymerisable liquid (A), or of a liquid component thereof, and also in the presence of the polymeric dispersant (C), by comminution of coarse, non-colloidal particles.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein there is also present during the comminution operation a low molecular weight agent for bonding the polymer matrix to the filler particles.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
A process for the production of a multi-component composite material comprising an organic polymer matrix and a particulate inorganic reinforcing phase dispersed therein and bonded thereto, the process comprising subjecting to curing a curable fluid composition as claimed in claim 1, so as to convert the polymerisable organic liquid component thereof into said polymer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the curing process includes a cross-linking reaction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-09-09 | 1984-03-10 | 1984-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-09 | 1988-03-10 | 1988-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-09 | 1992-03-10 | 1992-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |