The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 03, 2020
Filed:
May. 04, 2016
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Newark, DE (US);
Guy A. Sbriglia, Christiana, PA (US);
W L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Newark, DE (US);
Abstract
Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) polymers that have an average molecular weight of at least 500,000 g/mol and an enthalpy of at least 190 J/g is provided. The UHMWPE polymer may include at least one comonomer. The UHMWPE polymer is used to form a membrane, that when expanded, has a node and fibril structure. The UHMWPE membrane has an endotherm of about 150° C. associated with the fibrils in the membrane. The membrane has a percent porosity of at least 25%, and in exemplary embodiments, the percent porosity is at least 60%. Additionally, the UHMWPE membrane has a thickness less than 1 mm. An UHMWPE membrane may be formed by lubricating the UHMWPE polymer, subjecting the lubricated polymer to pressure at a temperature below the melting point of the UHMWPE polymer to form a tape, and expanding the tape at a temperature below the melting temperature of the UHMWPE polymer.