Slider formed of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin

Abstract

A formed article of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin which has been adapted for use in a sliding member by restoring the wear resistance once degraded by the addition of reinforcing fibers to the normal level is disclosed. This formed article comprises a fiber-reinforced resin material of a thermoplastic resin containing reinforcing fibers and incorporating therein additionally as a sliding property-imparting agent a material having a storage elastic modulus in the range of 3.5×10 8 Pa to 5.0×10 8 Pa in a service temperature range of 30° C. to 70° C. The ratio of incorporation of the sliding property-imparting agent is properly in the range of 4 to 10% by weight when the matrix resin is a polyamide-based resin or 4 to 20% by weight when the matrix resin is a thermoplastic resin other than the polyamide-based resin, respectively based on the total weight of the resin and the reinforcing fibers.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A formed article of thermoplastic resin, comprising a fiber-reinforced resin material of a thermoplastic resin containing reinforcing fibers and incorporating therein additionally as a sliding property-imparting agent a material having a storage elastic modulus in the range of 3.5×10 8  Pa to 5.0×10 8  Pa in a service temperature range of 30° C. to 70° C.  
     
     
         2 . The formed article according to  claim 1 , wherein said thermoplastic resin is selected from the group consisting of polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, and polyamide.  
     
     
         3 . The formed article according to  claim 1 , wherein said thermoplastic resin is polybutylene terephthalate.  
     
     
         4 . The formed article according -to  claim 1 , wherein said sliding property-imparting agent is selected from the group consisting of fluoropolymers and polyethylene.  
     
     
         5 . The formed article according -to  claim 1 , wherein said sliding property-imparting agent is polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         6 . The formed article according to  claim 1 , wherein said reinforcing fiber is present in an amount of 20 to 60% by weight, based on the weight of said thermoplastic resin.  
     
     
         7 . The formed article according to  claim 1 , wherein said reinforcing fiber is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, carbon fibers, and metal fibers.  
     
     
         8 . The formed article according to  claim 1 , wherein said formed article is a slider for use in a slide fastener.  
     
     
         9 . A formed article of thermoplastic resin, comprising a fiber-reinforced resin material of a polyamide-based resin containing reinforcing fibers and incorporating therein additionally as a sliding property-imparting agent a material having a storage elastic modulus in the range of 3.5×10 8  Pa to 5.0×10 8  Pa in a service temperature range of 30° C. to 70° C. at a ratio in the range of 4 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of said resin and said reinforcing fibers.  
     
     
         10 . The formed article according to  claim 9 , wherein said sliding property-imparting agent is selected from the group consisting of fluoropolymers and polyethylene.  
     
     
         11 . The formed article according to  claim 9 , wherein said sliding property-imparting agent is polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         12 . The formed article according to  claim 9 , wherein said reinforcing fiber is present in an amount of 20 to 60% by weight, based on the weight of said polyamide-based resin.  
     
     
         13 . The formed article according to  claim 9 , wherein said reinforcing fiber is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, carbon fibers, and metal fibers.  
     
     
         14 . The formed article according to  claim 9 , wherein said formed article is a slider for use in a slide fastener.  
     
     
         15 . A formed article of thermoplastic resin, comprising a fiber-reinforced resin material of a thermoplastic resin (excluding a polyamide-based resin) containing reinforcing fibers and incorporating therein additionally as a sliding property-imparting agent a material having a storage elastic modulus in the range of 3.5×10 8  Pa to 5.0×10 8  Pa in a service temperature range of 30° C. to 70° C. at a ratio in the range of 4 to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of said resin and said reinforcing fibers.  
     
     
         16 . The formed article according to  claim 15 , wherein said thermoplastic resin is selected from the group consisting of polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, and polycarbonate.  
     
     
         17 . The formed article according to  claim 15 , wherein said thermoplastic resin is polybutylene terephthalate.  
     
     
         18 . The formed article according to  claim 15 , wherein said sliding property-imparting agent is selected from the group consisting of fluoropolymers and polyethylene.  
     
     
         19 . The formed article according to  claim 15 , wherein said sliding property-imparting agent is polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         20 . The formed article according to  claim 15 , wherein said reinforcing fiber is present in an amount of 20 to 60% by weight, based on the weight of said thermoplastic resin.  
     
     
         21 . The formed article according to  claim 15 , wherein said reinforcing fiber is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, carbon fibers, and metal fibers.  
     
     
         22 . The formed article according to  claim 15 , wherein said formed article is a slider for use in a slide fastener.