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US 6,656,580 B2Granted
Impregnation of a graphite sheet with a sealant
AssigneeHenkel Loctite Corporation
InventorJohn G. Woods
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for sealing graphite plates formed from mechanically processed graphite sheets of exfoliated graphite particles is provided. The graphites sheets are infused with a sealant to fill about 90 volume percent of the pores contained in the sheet. Upon curing the sealant, a substantially gas impermeable graphite plate is provides. Such a plate is useful in fuel cell construction.
Claims28
A method for forming a graphite plate sealed with a sealant, said method comprising:
- a. providing a graphite sheet having opposed planar surfaces defining an interior portion therebetween, said sheet being formed from exfoliated graphite particles to provide said interior with pores and defining a graphite density of said sheet;
- b. providing a curable sealant;
- c. contacting said sealant with at least one of said planar surfaces, allowing said sealant to communicate through said pores;
- d. compressing said sheet to form a graphite plate having graphite density after compression, wherein said graphite density is greater after compression than before compression;
- and
- e. curing said sealant contained within said pores to seal said plate.
3 more elements
A graphite plate comprising:
- a. a graphite sheet formed from exfoliated graphite particles and having an internal, portion with pores between opposed planar surfaces;
- and
- b. a curable sealant contained within greater than 70% of said pores on a volume basis, wherein upon curing said sealant said graphite sheet is sealed with said sealant to form said plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.