Bumper and process to bond ionomers to plastic
OwnerRobbert T. Vander Togtinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An automotive bumper is disclosed which comprises a shell of injection molded platable grade ABS plastic. The plastic shell is plated with chromium metal and then backfilled by injection of ethylene ionomers. The resultant composite product provides an article which has a metallic appearing external surface and is backfilled with a strong, resilient plastic core. The composite structure has a pleasing appearance, is lightweight and is easy to manufacture. It has substantial structural integrity necessary to serve as impact resistant members on automobiles. The invention also provides a novel process to bond ethylene ionomers to plastic articles of metal-platable grade plastic resin.
Claims18
A method of bonding ethylene ionomer to a metal-platable plastic comprising:
- plating a surface of the plastic with metal, and
- injection molding the ionomer onto the plated surface.
A method as claimed in claim I further comprising an initial step of injection molding an article from said plastic.
A method of bonding zinc and sodium based ethylene ionomer to plastic, said method comprising:
- injection molding a plastic article from ABS platable grade plastic resin,
- plating a surface of the plastic article by electrolytic deposition of metal in an electrolytic bath, and
- injection molding said zinc and sodium based ethylene ionomer onto the plated surface.
A composite article comprising:
- a shell of metal-platable grade plastic resin having a layer of metal plated to surfaces thereof, and
- a core of foamed ethylene ionomer injection molded to said layer of metal over first portions thereof with second portions of said layer of metal comprising decorative exterior surfaces of the article.
A decorative, structural automotive bumper comprising:
- a shell of metal-platable grade plastic resin, said shell having exterior surfaces and interior surfaces,
- said exterior and interior surfaces plated with a decorative layer of metal, and
- a core of substantially rigid but resilient foamed ethylene ionomer bonded to said interior surfaces,
- wherein said bumper is made by a process comprising:
- plating said exterior and interior surfaces with said metal layer and then foam injection molding the core to the metal layer over the interior surfaces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.