Non-aqueous, adhesive-free method of bonding expanded polymeric parts
AssigneeHughes Aircraft Company
InventorsThomas K. Dougherty, Norman H. Harris, James R. Chow
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Abstract
Bonding of expanded polymeric parts together to produce lost foam molds suitable for casting metallic details is accomplished by applying a non-aqueous, adhesive-free coating comprising a polar, highly dielectric component contained in a liquid vehicle to the interfacing surface of at least one of the parts to be joined. The interfacing surfaces of the parts to be joined are held in contact while the assembly is irradiated with high frequency electromagnetic energy. This energy enables the coating to dielectrically heat the mated expanded polymeric parts until a bond is effected by melting the polymeric parts and inducing expansion of the parts into one another.
Claims4
A non-aqueous, adhesive-free method for bonding polymeric foam parts together, comprising:
- (a) providing at least two polymeric foam parts to be bonded together;
- (b) applying a coating to a surface of at least one of said polymeric foam parts, said coating comprising a non-aqueous, polar, high dielectric component comprising propylene carbonate in a non-aqueous vehicle comprising polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 600;
- (c) placing said coated surface in contact with at least one polymeric foam part to produce a mated assembly free from relative movement;
- (d) irradiating said mated assembly with high frequency electromagnetic energy comprising microwave energy ranging in frequency from about 10.sup.8 to 10.sup.12 Hz for a time sufficient to effect a bond between said at least two polymeric foam parts;
- and
- (e) allowing said mated assembly to cool for sufficient time to set said bond.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.