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:
Dec. 06, 2022
Filed:
Nov. 20, 2020
Ut-battelle, Llc, Oak Ridge, TN (US);
Vlastimil Kunc, Oak Ridge, TN (US);
Ahmed A. Hassen, Oak Ridge, TN (US);
John M. Lindahl, Oak Ridge, TN (US);
Seokpum Kim, Oak Ridge, TN (US);
UT-BATTELLE, LLC, Oak Ridge, TN (US);
Abstract
An improved method for obtaining high fiber volume fraction, long fiber injection molded articles is provided. According to one embodiment, the method includes forming an injection molding feedstock by cutting pre-impregnated fiber-reinforced tape into platelets. The platelets can be coated with a thin layer of polymer to allow sliding of the platelets with respect to each other at the early stages of plastication, rather than forcing relative motion of fibers with respect to each other. The method can further include the dispersion of material only in the final stages of the injection molding screw to promote gentle motion of the feedstock at the earlier stages of the plastication process. The method allows improvement of mechanical properties of articles manufactured with equipment and techniques that are prevalent in high volume automotive and consumer industries.