Multilayered composite

Abstract

In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a process for forming a multilayered electrospun composite is provided. The process includes forming a dispersion of polymeric nanofibers, a fiberizing polymer, and a solvent, the dispersion having a viscosity of at least about 50,000 cPs. Nanofibers from the dispersion are electrospun onto a first ePTFE layer. A second ePTFE layer is applied onto the nanofibers to form a composite structure. The composite structure is heated.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A composite structure comprising a first tubular polymeric layer defining an inner surface of the structure and a second tubular polymeric layer defining an outer surface of the structure, and a third material layer between the first tubular polymeric layer and the second polymeric layer, wherein at least the first tubular polymeric layer defining the inner surface comprises a plurality of electrospun polytetrafluoroethylene (espun PTFE) nanofibers. 
     
     
         22 . the composite structure of  claim 21 , wherein the second tubular polymeric layer defining the outer surface comprises a plurality of espun PTFE nanofibers. 
     
     
         23 . A process for forming a mulilayered electrospun composite structure comprising:
 electrostatically spinning nanofibers from a dispersion or solution to create a mat of electrospun nanofibers,   combining the mat of electrospun nanofibers with a second layer of material selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics of natural fibers, woven fabrics of man-made fibers, nonwoven fabrics of natural fibers, nonwoven fabrics of man-made fibers, plastic membranes, ceramic membranes, metal meshes, ceramic meshes and plastic meshes;   pressing the electrospun mat onto the second layer; and   heating the composite structure.   
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 23 , wherein electrostatically spinning nanofibers comprises electrostatically spinning nanofibers from a dispersion of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to create a mat of electrospun PTFE nanofibers. 
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 24 , further comprising combining a third layer of material with the mat of electrospun nanofibers and the second layer, wherein each of the mat, second layer, and third layer of the composite structure comprises PTFE. 
     
     
         26 . The process of  claim 23 , wherein electrostatically spinning nanofibers comprises electrostatically spinning nanofibers from a solution selected from the group consisting of a solution of nylon, a solution of polyurethane, a solution of polyester, and a solution of fluorinated ethylene propylene. 
     
     
         27 . The process of claim  20 , further comprising creating the second layer of material, wherein creating the second layer comprises electrostatically spinning nanofibers from a solution selected from the group consisting of a solution of nylon, a solution of polyurethane, a solution of polyester, and a solution of fluorinated ethylene propylene to create the second layer of electrospun nanofibers, and wherein combining the mat of electrospun nanofibers with a second layer of material comprises combining the mat of electrospun PTFE nanofibers with the second layer of electrospun nanofibers.