Patent ID: 6258196
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: A61F,B32B,D04H

Abstract:
A method for controlling the permeability characteristics of a sintered composite sheet comprising the steps of:providing a first layer comprising an A-component having a first melting temperature;providing a second layer comprising a B-component having voids and a second melting temperature higher than the first melting temperature;superimposing said first layer on said second layer to form an interface surface between said first layer and said second layer;selecting a sintering site distribution, a sintering temperature, and a sintering pressure based on desired permeability characteristics, said sintering temperature being greater than or equal to the first melting temperature and less than the second melting temperature;sintering said first layer and said second layer in said selected sintering site distribution at said selected sintering pressure and sintering temperature to thereby form sintered sites of an A/B-component at said interface surface, the A/B-component being formed by the A-component melting and flowing into the voids of the B-component while the B-component is substantially dimensionally stable; andallowing said sintered sites to cool to form said composite sheet and thereby control the permeability thereof.