Process to reduce sticking during surface treatment of graphite articles
AssigneeAdvanced Energy Technology Inc.
InventorJeremy H. Klug
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Processes and systems to reduce sticking of graphite materials and particularly resin impregnated graphite materials to forming tools, such as an embossing roller, during a process of manufacturing articles from the graphite materials. In one embodiment, an aerosol spray non-stick material is intermittently sprayed upon the embossing rollers. In a second embodiment, one or more sheets of thin flexible solid non-stick material, such as polyethylene, are sandwiched between the graphite material and the embossing rollers. The system is particularly useful for manufacturing material useful in producing components of fuel cells.
Claims17
A method of manufacturing articles from graphite material, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a temporary non-stick coating between a surface of the graphite material and a forming tool;
- (b) engaging the surface of the graphite material with the forming tool, with the non-stick coating therebetween, and applying pressure to the surface with the forming tool thereby forming the article;
- and
- (c) removing the forming tool from the surface,
- wherein the non-stick coating disposed between the surface of the graphite material and the forming tool reduces adherence of the article to the forming tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.