Extendable self-supporting material composites and manufacture thereof

A method for manufacturing a self-supporting composite having an axial length and a longitudinal width comprising:

• providing a backing material having a first surface and a second surface;
• providing a heat shrink film comprising a first surface and a second surface, the shrink film having an onset activation temperature that, when the shrink film is exposed to such temperature, the temperature induces shrinkage within the shrink film;
• heating a polyurethane adhesive to a temperature that exceeds the activation temperature of the shrink film;
• applying the polyurethane adhesive to the second surface of the backing material;
• laminating the second surface of the backing material with the first surface of the shrink film to create the composite, wherein the shrink film is oriented within the composite so that, upon activation, the shrink film contracts greater along the longitudinal width of the composite than the axial length;
• wherein, at the time of lamination, the temperature of the polyurethane adhesive exceeds the activation temperature of the shrink film inducing the shrink film to activate;
• and
• wherein the activation of the shrink film creates a longitudinal curvature about the longitudinal width of the composite material induced by heat activation of the shrink film, wherein the curvature is in the shape of an arc and which curvature imparts stiffness to the composite, and wherein the composite material when extended is self-supporting.

A method for manufacturing a self-supporting composite having an axial length and a longitudinal width comprising:

• providing a backing material having a first surface and a second surface;
• providing a heat shrink film comprising a film having a first surface and a second surface, the shrink film having an onset activation temperature that, when the shrink film is exposed to such temperature, the temperature induces shrinkage within the shrink film;
• providing a heat curing polyurethane adhesive having a minimal curing temperature below the initial activation temperature of the shrink film;
• applying the heat cure polyurethane adhesive to the second surface of the backing material;
• heat laminating the second surface of the backing material with the first surface of the shrink film to create the composite, wherein the shrink film is oriented within the composite so that, upon activation, the shrink film contracts greater along the longitudinal width of the composite than the axial length;
• wherein, at the time of lamination, the materials are exposed to a temperature sufficient to cure the adhesive but less than the activation temperature of the shrink film;
• and,
• subsequently exposing the composite to a temperature sufficient to activate the shrink film, wherein the activation of the shrink film creates a longitudinal curvature about the longitudinal width of the composite material induced by heat activation of the shrink film, wherein the curvature is in the shape of an arc and which curvature imparts stiffness to the composite, and wherein the composite material when extended is self-supporting.

A method for manufacturing a self-supporting composite having an axial length and a longitudinal width comprising:

• providing a backing material having a first surface and a second surface;
• providing a heat shrink film comprising a film having a first surface and a second surface, the shrink film having an onset activation temperature that, when the shrink film is exposed to such temperature, the temperature induces shrinkage within the shrink film;
• providing a heat cure polyurethane adhesive;
• applying the polyurethane adhesive to the second surface of the backing material;
• heat laminating the second surface of the backing material with the first surface of the shrink film to create the composite, wherein the shrink film is oriented within the composite so that, upon activation, the shrink film contracts greater along the longitudinal width of the composite than the axial length;
• wherein, at the time of lamination, the materials are exposed to a temperature sufficient to cure the adhesive and activate the shrink film;
• wherein the activation of the shrink film creates a longitudinal curvature about the longitudinal width of the composite material induced by heat activation of the shrink film, wherein the curvature is in the shape of an arc and which curvature imparts stiffness to the composite, and wherein the composite material when extended is self-supporting.

A self-supporting composite having an axial length and a longitudinal width, the composite comprising:

• a polyester film backing having a first surface and a second surface;
• a heat activated polyester shrink film comprising a first surface and a second surface;
• a heat curing polyurethane adhesive disposed between the second surface of the backing and the first surface of the shrink film,
• the shrink film being oriented within the composite wherein, upon activation, the shrink film contracts greater along the longitudinal width of the composite than the axial length;
• and the axial length of the composite has a curvature about the longitudinal width of the composite material induced by heat activation of the shrink film, wherein the curvature is in the shape of an arc and which curvature imparts stiffness to the composite, and wherein the composite material when extended is self-supporting.