Pad material for grinding, lapping and polishing
AssigneeRodel, Inc.
InventorsWilliam D. Budinger, Elmer W. Jensen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved polishing pad material is produced by modifying conventional poromeric materials in which a porous thermoplastic resin matrix, typically polyurethane, is reinforced with a fibrous network such as a felted mat of polyester fibers. The polishing material is modified by coalescing the resin among the fibers, preferably by heat treatment, to increase the porosity and hardness of the material as well increasing the surface activity of the resin. The polishing material may also incorporate polishing aids such as particulate abrasives and may also be used as a lapping or grinding material.
Claims19
A poromeric pad material comprising a porous thermoplastic resin matrix reinforced with a fiber network, said resin matrix being coalesced among the fibers to increase the porosity and hardness of the material, wherein said resin matrix comprises a blend of at least two resins, one of said resins having a melting point higher than the other, whereby said higher melting point resin is not substantially coalesced.
A method for producing a poromeric polishing pad material comprising forming a thermoplastic resin matrix within a fiber network so as to leave pores in the resin matrix and treating said resin matrix to cause it to coalesce among the fibers to increase the porosity and hardness of the material, wherein said resin matrix comprises a blend of at least two resins, one of said resins having a melting point higher than the other and wherein said treatment step comprises heating said resins to a temperature and for a time sufficient to coalesce the lower melting point resin, but insufficient to substantially coalesce the higher melting point resin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.