Continuous air bearing vapor stabilization system and method
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsStephen A. Milkovich, Robert W. Nufer
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Abstract
An in situ stabilizing tool provides a stress relieved, ceramic green sheet for green sheet screened stability. A green sheet stablilization system uses air bearings as a means of conveying a continuous ceramic green sheet web in a frictionless and stress free state. Solvent vapor stabilization of green sheets in a continuous mode adjusts solvent concentration in the air bearing using a solvent bubbler. Solvent vapor is generated from a group of solvents (e.g. hydrocarbons, water, etc.) that can be vaporized and used to solvent plasticize the ceramic green sheets to achieve stress relaxation. Take up loops and sensors adjust for longitudinal shrinkage during the green sheet relaxation process.
Claims12
A process for solvent vapor stabilizing to achieve stress relaxation, a cast, substantially completely dried ceramic green sheet tape comprising remaining casting solvent, a particulate ceramic and a thermoplastic polymeric binder, said process comprising
- passing said green sheet tape through an air bearing stablilization system provided with dual sided air bearings which float said green sheet tape upon a cushion of air containing solvent vapor whose solvent vapor is maintained by passing air for said air bearing through a bubbler, said solvent vapor being adapted for solvent plasticizing said polymer binder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.