Scratch resistant thermoplastic article
AssigneeDuracase Proprietary LLC
InventorDavid Horwitz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process and resulting thermoplastic article is provided suitable for use in constructing furniture. The thermoplastic article contains hardened particulates such as powders of alumina oxide or ceramic microspheres which bring about an improved cut and scratch resistance to the surface of the articles. The hardened particulates may be integrally mixed with the extruded product or applied post-molding to a surface of the shaped article. In addition, spherical additives may be included in the extrusion polymer which reduces shear forces and provides an improved wood grain appearance in the extruded article.
Claims8
1-19. (canceled)
A thermoplastic polymer for use in a die extrusion process comprising:
- a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, styrene-based polymers, olefins, and polyamides and combinations thereof, the polymer having mixed therein an effective amount of a shear reducing spherical additive sufficient to reduce shear forces when the polymer is extruded through a die.
A thermoplastic article comprising:
- an extruded thermoplastic panel having an upper surface and a lower surface, said panel further having a pigmented grain pattern defined therein;
- about 1% to about 10% of a spherical additive, said spherical additive substantially uniformly distributed throughout said panel;
- wherein said thermoplastic panel has a more uniform grain appearance across a width of said panel than a thermoplastic panel without the spherical additive.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.