Bearings and other support members made of intercalated graphite
AssigneeIntercal Company
InventorFerdinand L. Vogel
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Abstract
A bearing or other support member containing intercalated graphite exhibits many of the properties of a metal (ie: conductivity, luster, ductility) while enhancing the lubricating properties of pure graphite. The bearings are made by pressing an intercalated graphite powder either alone or mixed with metal powders, organic polymers or ceramic powders into the desired shape. This results in a bearing that has low friction properties, improved load bearing characteristics, higher operating temperatures and a reduced cost of manufacture.
Claims17
A bearing member consisting essentially of a shaped, compacted, load bearing, low friction body formed from an intercalated graphite which is stable in air and at an elevated temperature, and is produced by an intercalation reaction of graphite and an intercalating species, said intercalating species producing the stability in air and at elevated temperature of the intercalated graphite, said reaction causing the presence of oxidized carbon in the graphite and the presence of negatively charged molecules within the intercalating species.
A bearing member consisting essentially of a shaped, compacted, load bearing, low friction body which is stable in air and at elevated temperature and is produced by an intercalation reaction of graphite and copper chloride, nickel chloride or chromium chloride.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.