Unitary polymer substrate having napped surface of frayed end microfibers
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsClyde D. Calhoun, David C. Koskenmaki, James G. Berg, Jennifer M. Aamodt
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Abstract
A unitary polymer substrate having a plurality of microfibers projecting from a surface is provided. The presence of the microfibers greatly increases the surface area and can impart a cloth-like feel to the surface. The projecting microfibers may have a variety of forms, including frayed-end microfibers, tapered microfibers, microfibers having an expanded cross-sectional shape, and microfibers having a very high aspect ratio. A number of methods of producing unitary polymer structures with a plurality of projecting microfibers are also provided.
Claims15
A unitary polymer substrate comprising a napped surface comprising a plurality of projections having smooth sides and a top which includes a plurality of frayed-end microfibers, the microfibers having an average length of no more than about 500 micrometers or an average diameter of not more than about 100 micrometers and the frayed end microfibers have a plurality of microfibrils protruding from a surface of the microfibers in addition to that of the frayed-ends of the microfibers.
A unitary polymer substrate comprising a polymer surface having a plurality of frayed-end microfibers on the polymer surface, the microfibers having an average length of no more than about 500 micrometers or an average diameter of not more than about 100 micrometers and having a plurality of microfibrils protruding from a surface of the frayed-end microfibers in addition to that of the frayed-ends of the microfibers.
A unitary polymer substrate comprising a thermoplastic polymer surface having a plurality of frayed-end microfibers protruding from the polymer surface, said unitary polymer substrate made by the method of reciprocatingly contacting the polymer surface with an abrasive surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.