US 2014/0228497 A1 · Polymeric Materials

Abstract

An upright column is packed with particles of a first material so the particles touch one another and a network of voids is defined between the particles. The network will be substantially continuous. A second material is then introduced into the column so the second material penetrates the network and fills the voids. The mixture of first and second materials is then consolidated using heat to melt the first or second material, whilst the other one of the first or second material remains in a solid state and acts as a space holder. Thereafter, the material which acts as the space holder may be removed thereby to leave a substantially continuous porous network defined by the material which was melted. It is found that, by use of the method, a substantially continuous network of the material which is melted can be formed and that the other material can readily be removed and/or is more easily removed compared to if a mixture of first and second materials was formed prior to packing in a column or mould.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A method of making a material, the method comprising:

(a) selecting a receptacle which contains a mass which defines a network of voids, said mass comprising a first component;
and
(b) introducing a second component into the receptacle so that the second component percolates the network and enters the voids, thereby to produce a material which comprises said first and second components,
wherein the voids in the mass contained in the receptacle in step (a) are defined such that particles having a dimension of 300 μm or less can pass through.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Polymeric Materials

Life of this patent

Polymeric Materials

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28