Films having a microfibrillated surface and method of making
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsMario A. Perez, Sundaravel Damodaran, Michael D. Swan
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Abstract
Fibers and microfibrillated articles are provided by imparting fluid energy to at least one surface of a highly oriented, voided, melt-processed polymeric film. The fibers and microfibrillated articles are useful as tape backings, filters, thermal and acoustical insulation and as reinforcement fibers for polymers or cast building materials such as concrete.
Claims30
An oriented film comprising a melt-processed immiscible mixture comprising a semicrystalline polymer component and a void initiating component, said film having at least one microfibrillated surface, said microfibrillated surface having a depth of greater than 10 micrometers.
A process for preparing a film having a fibrous surface comprising:
- a) providing a film comprising a melt-processed mixture comprising a semicrystalline polymer component and a void initiating component,
- b) orienting said film to impart a voided morphology thereto, and
- c) microfibrillating said film by imparting sufficient fluid energy to at least one surface of said film to a depth of greater than 10 micrometers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.