Method for sealing cation exchange membranes of carboxylic acid type fluorinated polymers
AssigneeOlin Corporation
InventorsIgor V. Kadija, Kenneth E. Woodard, Jr.
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Abstract
A method is provided for sealing portions of cation exchange membranes of carboxylic acid type fluorinated polymers. The portions of the membranes to be sealed are in the ester form of the membrane and are ultrasonically sealed at sealing times of from about 0.1 to about 5 seconds while employing power in the range of from about 50 to about 600 watts. The novel method of the present invention can be used to repair membranes of carboxylic acid type fluorinated polymers which have been torn, slit, or cut. Sections of membrane materials may be sealed together to form an enlarged or reinforced membrane. The sealed portions are substantially free of wrinkles and are not mechanically damaged or weakened.
Claims8
A method for repairing portions of cation exchange membranes comprised of a fluorinated polymer having carboxylic acid type functional groups, said method which comprises:
- (a) esterifying said portions to provide carboxylic acid type functional groups in the ester form,
- (b) contacting portions of said membrane in said ester form to be repaired, and
- (c) ultrasonically sealing said portions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.