Patent ID: 6417280
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: C08L,D01D,D01F,D06M

Abstract:
A microfiber-reinforced solid composition produced by a process comprising:(i) providing a blended solid composition of polymeric components comprising one or more microparticulate fluoroplastic components having a particle size of 1 &mgr;m or less distributed homogeneously at the microparticulate level throughout the composition in an amount greater than 50% by weight based on total polymer, wherein at least one of said fluoroplastic components is a fibrillatable PTFE polymer having a melt viscosity at 380Â° C. of greater than 109 poise, said PTFE polymer in an essentially unfibrillated state; and at least one uncured elastomeric component; and (ii) subjecting the blended solid composition to a shear force that induces the PTFE component to fibrillate and create a microfibrous reinforcement within the blended composition.