US2004173978A1PendingUtilityA1

PTFE membranes and gaskets made therefrom

Priority: Mar 6, 2003Filed: Mar 6, 2003Published: Sep 9, 2004
Est. expiryMar 6, 2023(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
B32B 2581/00F16J 15/104F16L 23/22B32B 7/12B32B 2307/548B29C 48/475B32B 27/322B32B 27/205B29K 2027/18B32B 2307/552B32B 2307/72B32B 3/26B32B 2307/732B32B 2307/714B32B 2307/50B29L 2031/265F16J 15/102B29C 48/08B32B 27/08B32B 2307/54B32B 2307/7242F16J 15/3284B32B 2307/546Y10T428/215Y10T428/269Y10T428/249978
52
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Claims

Abstract

Improved expanded PTFE materials and improved gasket materials made therefrom, the gaskets being capable of forming a seal with greater bolt load retention than is possible with existing PTFE gaskets. The expanded PTFE membranes of the invention can be tailored to exhibit a matrix tensile strength in at least one direction of at least 25,000 psi, a matrix tensile strength ratio in two orthogonal directions of between 0.025 and 4, an orientation index of 50° or less, and a density of 2.0 g/cc or less. The improved gaskets exhibit improved mechanical properties such as high bolt load retention, low creep, high tensile strength, low stress to seal and high crystallinity index.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . A membrane comprising PTFE having a matrix tensile strength in at least one direction of at least 25,000 psi; 
 a matrix tensile strength ratio in two orthogonal directions of between about 0.25 and 4;    an orientation index of about 50° or less; and    a density of about 2.0 g/cc or less.    
     
     
         2 . The membrane of  claim 1  having an orientation index of 40° or less.  
     
     
         3 . The membrane of  claim 2  having an orientation index of 30° or less.  
     
     
         4 . The membrane of  claim 3  having an orientation index of 20° or less.  
     
     
         5 . The membrane of  claim 1  having a crystallinity index of 60% or more.  
     
     
         6 . The membrane of  claim 5  having a crystallinity index of 65% or more.  
     
     
         7 . The membrane of  claim 6  having a crystallinity index of 70% or more.  
     
     
         8 . The membrane of  claim 1  having a density of about 1.0 g/cc or less.  
     
     
         9 . The membrane of  claim 8  having a density of about 0.5 g/cc or less.  
     
     
         10 . The membrane of  claim 1  having an enthalpy of at least about 9.0 Joules per gram (J/g).  
     
     
         11 . The membrane of  claim 10  having an enthalpy of at least 10.0 J/g.  
     
     
         12 . The membrane of  claim 11  having an enthalpy of at least 11.0 J/g.  
     
     
         13 . A membrane comprising PTFE having a matrix tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 34,000 psi; 
 a matrix tensile strength ratio in 2 orthogonal directions of between about 0.25 and 4; and    a density of about 2.0 g/cc or less.    
     
     
         14 . The membrane of  claim 13  having an orientation index of 50° or less.  
     
     
         15 . The membrane of  claim 14  having an orientation index of 40° or less.  
     
     
         16 . The membrane of  claim 15  having an orientation index of 30° or less.  
     
     
         17 . The membrane of  claim 13  having a crystallinity index of 60% or more.  
     
     
         18 . The membrane of  claim 17  having a crystallinity index of 65% or more.  
     
     
         19 . The membrane of  claim 18  having a crystallinity index of 70% or more.  
     
     
         20 . The membrane of  claim 13  having a density of about 1.0 g/cc or less.  
     
     
         21 . The membrane of  claim 20  having a density of about 0.5 g/cc or less.  
     
     
         22 . The membrane of  claim 13  having an enthalpy of at least about 9.0 Joules per gram (J/g).  
     
     
         23 . The membrane of  claim 22  having an enthalpy of at least 10.0 J/g.  
     
     
         24 . The membrane of  claim 23  having an enthalpy of at least 11.0 J/g.  
     
     
         25 . A membrane comprising PTFE having a matrix tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 44,800 psi; 
 a matrix tensile strength ratio in 2 orthogonal directions of between about 0.25 and 4; and    a density of about 2 g/cc or less.    
     
     
         26 . The membrane of  claim 25  having an orientation index of 50° or less.  
     
     
         27 . The membrane of  claim 26  having an orientation index of 40° or less.  
     
     
         28 . The membrane of  claim 27  having an orientation index of 30° or less.  
     
     
         29 . The membrane of  claim 25  having a crystallinity index of 60% or more.  
     
     
         30 . The membrane of  claim 29  having a crystallinity index of 65% or more.  
     
     
         31 . The membrane of  claim 30  having a crystallinity index of 70% or more.  
     
     
         32 . The membrane of  claim 25  having a density of about 1.0 g/cc or less.  
     
     
         33 . The membrane of claim  332  having a density of about 0.5 g/cc or less.  
     
     
         34 . The membrane of  claim 25  having an enthalpy of at least about 9.0 Joules per gram (J/g).  
     
     
         35 . The membrane of  claim 34  having an enthalpy of at least 10.0 J/g.  
     
     
         36 . The membrane of  claim 35  having an enthalpy of at least 11.0 J/g.  
     
     
         37 . A membrane consisting essentially of a single layer of PTFE having a matrix tensile strength in at least one direction of at least 25,000 psi; 
 a matrix tensile strength ratio in 2 orthogonal directions of between about 0.25 and 4; and    a density of about 2.0 g/cc or less.    
     
     
         38 . The membrane of  claim 37  having an orientation index of 50° or less.  
     
     
         39 . The membrane of  claim 38  having an orientation index of 40° or less.  
     
     
         40 . The membrane of  claim 39  having an orientation index of 30° or less.  
     
     
         41 . The membrane of  claim 37  having a crystallinity index of 60% or more.  
     
     
         42 . The membrane of  claim 41  having a crystallinity index of 65% or more.  
     
     
         43 . The membrane of  claim 42  having a crystallinity index of 70% or more.  
     
     
         44 . The membrane of  claim 37  having a density of about 1.0 g/cc or less.  
     
     
         45 . The membrane of  claim 44  having a density of about 0.5 g/cc or less.  
     
     
         46 . The membrane of  claim 37  having an enthalpy of at least about 9.0 Joules per gram (J/g).  
     
     
         47 . The membrane of  claim 46  having an enthalpy of at least 10.0 J/g.  
     
     
         48 . The membrane of  claim 47  having an enthalpy of at least 11.0 J/g.  
     
     
         49 . A gasket comprising PTFE, said gasket having: 
 a thickness in the range of about 1.5 mm to about 9 mm    a compressibility of at least about 40%,    and a percent bolt load retention versus thickness equal to or greater than the line connecting points A and B in FIG. 18 and defined in the following table:                                    Point   % BLR at RT   Thickness           A   92%   1.5 mm     B   52%     9 mm                                        
     
     
         50 . The gasket of  claim 49 , wherein said gasket has a crystallinity index of at least about 60%.  
     
     
         51 . The gasket of  claim 49 , wherein said gasket has a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 5,500 psi (37.9 MPa).  
     
     
         52 . The gasket of  claim 49 , wherein said gasket has a durometer of about 85 or less.  
     
     
         53 . The gasket of  claim 49 , wherein said gasket has a matrix tensile strength of at least about 22,000 psi (151.7 MPa).  
     
     
         54 . The gasket of  claim 49 , wherein said gasket consists essentially of PTFE.  
     
     
         55 . The gasket of  claim 49 , wherein said gasket has a percent bolt load retention versus thickness equal to or greater than the line connecting the points C and D in FIG. 18 and defined in the following table:  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                 
                     
                 
                   Point 
                   % BLR at RT 
                   Thickness 
                 
                     
                 
                   C 
                   93% 
                   1.5 mm 
                 
                   D 
                   70% 
                     9 mm 
                 
                     
                 
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
               
               
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         56 . The gasket of  claim 55 , wherein said gasket has a crystallinity index of at least about 60%.  
     
     
         57 . The gasket of  claim 55 , wherein said gasket has a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 5,500 psi (37.9 MPa).  
     
     
         58 . The gasket of  claim 55 , wherein said gasket has a durometer of about 85 or less.  
     
     
         59 . The gasket of  claim 55 , wherein said gasket has a matrix tensile strength of at least about 22,000 psi (151.7 MPa).  
     
     
         60 . The gasket of  claim 55 , wherein said gasket consists essentially of PTFE.  
     
     
         61 . A gasket comprising PTFE having a nominal thickness of 1.5 mm, a bolt load retention of at least about 91% and a compressibility of at least 40%.  
     
     
         62 . A gasket comprising PTFE having a nominal thickness of 2 mm, a bolt load retention of at least about 90% and a compressibility of at least 40%.  
     
     
         63 . A gasket comprising PTFE having a nominal thickness of 3 mm, a bolt load retention of at least about 85% and a compressibility of at least 40%.  
     
     
         64 . A gasket comprising PTFE having a nominal thickness of 6 mm, a bolt load retention of at least about 65% and a compressibility of at least 40%.  
     
     
         65 . A gasket comprising PTFE having a nominal thickness of 1.5 mm, a bolt load retention of at least about 91% and a durometer of 85 or less.  
     
     
         66 . A gasket comprising PTFE having a nominal thickness of 2 mm, a bolt load retention of at least about 90% and a durometer of 85 or less.  
     
     
         67 . A gasket comprising PTFE having a nominal thickness of 3 mm, a bolt load retention of at least about 85% and a durometer of 85 or less.  
     
     
         68 . A gasket comprising PTFE having a nominal thickness of 6 mm, a bolt load retention of at least about 65% and a durometer of 85 or less.  
     
     
         69 . A gasket comprising PTFE having a nominal thickness of 1 mm, a bolt load retention of at least about 93%, a compressibility of at least 40%, and a crystallinity index of at least about 60%.  
     
     
         70 . A gasket comprising PTFE having a nominal thickness of 1 mm, a bolt load retention of at least about 93%, a compressibility of at least 40%, and a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 5,500 psi (37.9 MPa).  
     
     
         71 . The gasket of  claim 61 , wherein said gasket has a crystallinity index of at least about 60%.  
     
     
         72 . The gasket of  claim 61 , wherein said gasket has a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 5,500 psi (37.9 MPa).  
     
     
         73 . The gasket of  claim 62 , wherein said gasket has a crystallinity index of at least about 60%.  
     
     
         74 . The gasket of  claim 62 , wherein said gasket has a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 5,500 psi (37.9 MPa).  
     
     
         75 . The gasket of  claim 63 , wherein said gasket has a crystallinity index of at least about 60%.  
     
     
         76 . The gasket of  claim 63 , wherein said gasket has a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 5,500 psi (37.9 MPa).  
     
     
         77 . The gasket of  claim 64 , wherein said gasket has a crystallinity index of at least about 60%.  
     
     
         78 . The gasket of  claim 64 , wherein said gasket has a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 5,500 psi (37.9 MPa).  
     
     
         79 . The gasket of  claim 65 , wherein said gasket has a crystallinity index of at least about 60%.  
     
     
         80 . The gasket of  claim 65 , wherein said gasket has a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 5,500 psi (37.9 MPa).  
     
     
         81 . The gasket of  claim 66 , wherein said gasket has a crystallinity index of at least about 60%.  
     
     
         82 . The gasket of  claim 66 , wherein said gasket has a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 5,500 psi (37.9 MPa).  
     
     
         83 . The gasket of  claim 67 , wherein said gasket has a crystallinity index of at least about 60%.  
     
     
         84 . The gasket of  claim 67 , wherein said gasket has a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 5,500 psi (37.9 MPa).  
     
     
         85 . The gasket of  claim 68 , wherein said gasket has a crystallinity index of at least about 60%.  
     
     
         86 . The gasket of  claim 68 , wherein said gasket has a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 5,500 psi (37.9 MPa).  
     
     
         87 . A gasket comprising PTFE wherein said gasket has 
 a nominal thickness of 3 mm;    a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least 4,500 psi (31.0 MPa);    a bolt load retention of at least 85%; and    a stress to seal equal to or less than 3500 psi (24.1 MPa).    
     
     
         88 . The gasket of  claim 87 , wherein said tensile strength in at least one direction is at least 5,500 psi (37.9 MPa).  
     
     
         89 . The gasket of  claim 87 , wherein said tensile strength is at least 6,000 psi (41.4 MPa).  
     
     
         90 . The gasket of  claim 87 , wherein said tensile strength is at least 7,000 psi (48.3 MPa).  
     
     
         91 . The gasket of  claim 87 , wherein said gasket comprises multiple PTFE membranes.  
     
     
         92 . The gasket of  claim 87 , wherein said gasket comprises at least one rigid layer.  
     
     
         93 . The gasket of  claim 87 , wherein said rigid layer comprises PTFE.  
     
     
         94 . The gasket of  claim 87  in the form of a form-in-place tape.  
     
     
         95 . A gasket comprising PTFE wherein said gasket has 
 a nominal thickness of 1.5 mm;    a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least 4,500 psi (31.0 MPa);    a bolt load retention of at least 91%; and    a stress to seal equal to or less than 3500 psi (24.1 MPa).    
     
     
         96 . The gasket of  claim 95 , wherein said tensile strength in at least one direction is at least 5,500 psi (37.9 MPa).  
     
     
         97 . The gasket of  claim 95 , wherein said tensile strength is at least 6,000 psi (41.4 MPa).  
     
     
         98 . The gasket of  claim 95 , wherein said tensile strength is at least 7,000 psi (48.3 MPa).  
     
     
         99 . The gasket of  claim 95 , wherein said gasket comprises multiple PTFE membranes.  
     
     
         100 . The gasket of  claim 95 , wherein said gasket comprises at least one rigid layer.  
     
     
         101 . The gasket of  claim 95 , wherein said rigid layer comprises PTFE.  
     
     
         102 . The gasket of  claim 95  in the form of a form-in-place tape.  
     
     
         103 . A gasket comprising PTFE, said PTFE having a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 5,500 psi (37.9 MPa) and a compressibility of at least about 40%.  
     
     
         104 . The gasket of  claim 103 , said gasket having a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 6,000 psi (41.4 MPa).  
     
     
         105 . The gasket of  claim 103 , said gasket having a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 7,000 psi (48.3 MPa).  
     
     
         106 . The gasket of  claim 103 , wherein said gasket comprises multiple PTFE membranes.  
     
     
         107 . The gasket of  claim 103 , wherein said gasket comprises at least one rigid layer.  
     
     
         108 . The gasket of  claim 107 , wherein said rigid layer comprises PTFE.  
     
     
         109 . A gasket comprising PTFE, said PTFE having a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 5,500 psi (37.9 MPa) and a durometer of 85 or less.  
     
     
         110 . The gasket of  claim 109 , said gasket having a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 6,000 psi (41.4 MPa).  
     
     
         111 . The gasket of  claim 109 , said gasket having a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 7,000 psi (48.3 MPa).  
     
     
         112 . The gasket of  claim 109 , wherein said gasket comprises multiple PTFE membranes.  
     
     
         113 . The gasket of  claim 109 , wherein said gasket comprises at least one rigid layer.  
     
     
         114 . The gasket of  claim 109 , wherein said rigid layer comprises PTFE.  
     
     
         115 . A gasket consisting essentially of PTFE, said gasket having a bolt load retention of at least about 85% for a nominal 3 mm thickness.  
     
     
         116 . A gasket consisting essentially of PTFE, said gasket having a bolt load retention of at least about 91% for a nominal 1.5 mm thickness.  
     
     
         117 . A gasket consisting essentially of PTFE, said gasket having a matrix tensile strength of at least about 22,000 psi (151.7 MPa).  
     
     
         118 . The gasket of  claim 117 , wherein said matrix tensile strength is at least about 25,000 psi (172.4 MPa).  
     
     
         119 . A gasket consisting essentially of PTFE, said gasket having a creep of less than 5.0% and a nominal thickness of 1.5 mm.  
     
     
         120 . A gasket comprising PTFE, said gasket having a compressibility of at least about 40%, a creep of less than 5% and a nominal thickness of 1.5 mm.  
     
     
         121 . A gasket comprising PTFE, said gasket having a durometer of 85 or less, a creep of less than 5% and a nominal thickness of 1.5 mm.  
     
     
         122 . A gasket comprising PTFE, said gasket having a nominal thickness of 1.5 mm, a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 5,500 psi ((37.9 MPa) and creep of less than 5%.  
     
     
         123 . The gasket of  claim 122 , said gasket having a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 6,000 psi (41.4 MPa).  
     
     
         124 . The gasket of  claim 122 , said gasket having a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least about 7000 psi (48.3 MPa).  
     
     
         125 . A gasket comprising PTFE, said gasket having a nominal thickness of 1.5 mm, a bolt load retention of at least about 91% and a stress to seal of less than or equal to 3500 psi (24.1 MPa).  
     
     
         126 . A gasket comprising PTFE, said gasket having a nominal thickness of 3 mm, a bolt load retention of at least about 85% and a stress to seal of less than or equal to 3500 psi (24.1 MPa).  
     
     
         127 . A gasket comprising PTFE, said gasket having a nominal thickness of 1.5 mm, a bolt load retention of at least about 91% and a stress to seal of less than or equal to 1500 psi (10.3 MPa).  
     
     
         128 . A gasket comprising PTFE, said gasket having a nominal thickness of 3 mm, a bolt load retention of at least about 85% and a stress to seal of less than or equal to 1500 psi (10.3 MPa).  
     
     
         129 . A gasket comprising PTFE, said gasket having a nominal thickness of 6 mm, a bolt load retention of at least about 65% and a stress to seal of less than or equal to 1500 psi (10.3 MPa).  
     
     
         130 . A gasket comprising PTFE, said gasket having a nominal thickness of 1.5 mm, a creep of less than 5% and a stress to seal of less than or equal to 3500 psi (24.1 MPa).  
     
     
         131 . The gasket of  claim 130 , said gasket having a stress to seal of less than or equal to 1500 psi (10.3 MPa).  
     
     
         132 . A gasket comprising PTFE, said gasket having a nominal thickness of 3 mm, a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least 5,500 psi (37.9 MPa) and a stress to seal of 3500 psi (24.1 MPa) or less.  
     
     
         133 . The gasket of  claim 132 , said gasket having a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least 6000 psi (41.4 MPa).  
     
     
         134 . The gasket of  claim 132 , said gasket having a tensile strength in at least one direction of at least 7000 psi (48.3 MPa).  
     
     
         135 . The gasket of  claim 132 , said gasket having a stress to seal of 1500 psi (10.3 MPa) or less.

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