Braided graphite-foil and method of production
OwnerRobert A. Crosierinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved method and apparatus for the production of a strand of reinforced graphite-foil yarn which is the basis of the braided graphite-foil yarns. To produce the reinforced graphite-foil strands what is needed is apparatus for a tapered, cone shaped circular die having a specific geometry suitable for curling the fiber and adhesive coated surface inward upon itself, so that the curled ribbon will adhere to itself when compressed into the final protrusion die forming a finished fiber reinforced composite strand of expanded graphite flake having suitable tensile strength, flexibility, and toughness to permit braiding, weaving and other processing making it commercially useful wherever a dry, lubricous, strong, flexible material is desirable.
Claims13
A fiber reinforced composite strand comprising:
- a core comprising at least one reinforcing fiber;
- a layer of adhesive film having a first adhesive side and a second adhesive side, said first adhesive side in contact with said core;
- said core and said layer of adhesive film encapsulated by a jacket comprising:
- a layer of vermiculated graphite in contact with said second adhesive side of said layer of adhesive film.
A fiber reinforced composite strand comprising:
- an elongated film having a first adhesive side and a second adhesive side;
- a vermiculated graphite ribbon having a first side and a second side, said first side in contact with said first adhesive side of said elongated film;
- a core comprising at least one reinforcing fiber and in contact with said second adhesive side of said elongated film;
- wherein said fiber reinforced composite strand is formed by the process of:
- feeding said core, said elongated film and said vermiculated graphite ribbon through a die having a frustoconical passage way so that said vermiculated graphite ribbon is curled inward upon itself and about said core to form a jacket which fully encapsulates said core and said elongated film.
A fiber reinforced composite strand which comprises:
- a ribbon of vermiculated graphite having a first side and a second side;
- a plastic adhesive film having a first side and a second side, each of said first side and said second side having an adhesive surface, said second side further having a protective film thereon, said first side laminated to said first side of said ribbon of vermiculated graphite and said protective film stripped away to expose said second side of said plastic adhesive film;
- a reinforcing fiber laid on said exposed second side of said plastic adhesive film;
- and
- said reinforcing fiber and said plastic adhesive film fully encapsulated by a jacket comprising a single layer of said ribbon of vermiculated graphite to form the fiber reinforced composite strand.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.