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:
Jun. 19, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 22, 1998
Jacklin Ann Adams, Cary, NC (US);
Joel Ray McLean, Raleigh, NC (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to an electrically insulating polymer coating on a conductive metal substrate, especially zinc and tin-plated sheet steel. The polymer is applied to at least one side of the sheet, the amount being adequate to create a uniform layer of 0.5 to 0.8 micrometers thickness after curing. The polymer coated sheet is heat cured at 200° C. to 210° C. for 10-15 minutes. The thickness of the polymer layer is selected to be within a specified range. The range is determined based upon subsequent manufacturing operations which require an electrically conductive path between a component and the metal substrate. The curing conditions are selected for the dual purpose of heat curing the polymer to the substrate surface as well as to stress relieve the tin or zinc-plated sheet steel. This treatment helps to prevent tin whisker growth and improves the corrosion resistance of the substrate.