Method for modifying fluoropolymer fibers
AssigneeActon Associates, Inc.
InventorKevin G. Nelson
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Abstract
The present invention provides etched fluoropolymer fibers and a method for etching fluoropolymer fibers, which are then capable of being boned either together or with other materials to form composite materials. In particle, the present invention relates to a method for chemically etching chopped, natural polytetrafluoroethylene fiber by immersing the fibers in an alkai metal polyaryl hydrocarbon etching solution with increased temperatures ranging from 50.degree. C. to 110.degree. C. and high shearing agitation until at least 98% of the fibers are sufficiently hydrophilic to sink when placed in water. This produces etched fiber material which may then be bonded together to form composite fluoropolymer products.
Claims8
A method of etching fluoropolymer fibers comprising:
- (a) immersing said fibers in an alkali metal/polyaryl hydrocarbon etching solution and;
- (b) subjecting said fibers in said etching solution to high shear agitation which maintains said fibers at a temperature in the range of from about 50.degree. C. to 110.degree. C. until at least 98% of said fibers are sufficiently hydrophilic to sink when placed in water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.