SELF-BONDING FLUOROPOLYMERS AND METHODS OF PRODUCING THE SAME

    公开(公告)号:US20210002394A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-01-07

    申请号:US17027014

    申请日:2020-09-21

    发明人: Thomas M. SWANICK

    摘要: A method of making expanded fluoropolymer articles thermally bonds portions of expanded fluoropolymers together, without using an adhesive or crushing force, to produce stronger bonds at the joint between the expanded fluoropolymers than the bonds within the constituent expanded fluoropolymers. The method involves placing the portions of expanded fluoropolymers to be thermally bonded together in intimate contact with each other after wet-stretching the expanded fluoropolymers, and removing the wetting agent used to wet-stretch the expanded fluoropolymers, without subsequent expansion or stretching, to yield an expanded fluoropolymer article exhibiting unexpected and superior properties that can be used in a variety of medical and industrial applications.