In-mold coating of polymer composite parts for metallization and painting
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorsHsai-Yin Lee, Joseph A. Hulway
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The surface of a molded fiber reinforced polymer matrix article is prepared for subsequent metallization and painting by coating the molded article, preferably while it is still in its mold, with a layer of calcium carbonate-filled, but fiber-free polymer. The calcium carbonate-filled coating is then etched to dissolve particles of calcium carbonate from the surface layer to form fiber-free micro-pores in the surface layer. This porous provides an improved base for the deposition of a metal layer for receiving adherent paint layers and preventing “out-gassing” of the composite body during baking of the paint layers.
Claims15
A method of preparing a surface of a molded, fiber reinforced polymer composite article for application of one or more paint layers to said surface when such article is to be subjected to a paint baking operation for at least one of said applied paint layers, said method comprising:
- coating said surface of said fiber reinforced article with an overlying co-extensive layer of fiber-free, polymer resin filled with acid soluble filler particles;
- dissolving acid soluble filler particles from the surface of said overlying layer to form micro-pores in said layer, said micro-pores being free of fibers of said fiber reinforced polymer composite article;
- and
- forming at least one layer of a metal coating on said micro-pore containing, overlying layer as a barrier coating to out-gassing from said polymer composite article during said paint baking operation.
A method of preparing a surface of a fiber reinforced polymer composite article for application of one or more paint layers to said surface when such article is to be subjected to a paint baking operation for at least one of said applied paint layers, said method comprising:
- forming fiber containing polymeric precursor materials in a mold to obtain said article, said mold comprising mold elements movable between open and closed positions;
- coating said surface with an overlying co-extensive layer of fiber-free, polymer resin filled with calcium carbonate particles, said coating being performed while said article is in said mold;
- dissolving calcium carbonate particles from the surface of said overlying layer to form micro-pores in said layer, said micro-pores being free of fibers of said fiber reinforced polymer composite;
- and
- forming at least one layer of a metal coating on said micro-pore containing, overlying layer as a barrier coating to out-gassing from said polymer composite article during said paint baking operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.