FUNCTIONALIZING INJECTION MOLDED PARTS USING NANOFIBERS

摘要

The disclosed concept relates to methods for the manufacture of molded parts having composite nanofibers deposited on a surface of the molded parts. The molded parts are manufactured by utilizing injection molding techniques. The nanofibers are capable of imparting to the molded part functionality, such as but not limited to electrical conductivity, magnetic properties, thermal conductivity, hydrophobicity and superhydrophobicity. The methods include depositing the nanofibers at least partially on an interior surface of a mold, injecting a polymer-containing composition into the mold and extracting a molded part from the mold. A surface of the molded part includes a layer or coating of nanofibers deposited thereon and/or therein. The nanofibers are transferred from the interior surface of the mold to the surface of the molded part. The mold and molded part can include three-dimensional shapes as well as two-dimensional shapes.

主权项

1. A method for producing an injection molded part having nanofibers at least partially deposited on an outer surface thereof, comprising:
generating nanofibers which comprise:
a fiber material selected from the group consisting of polymer, polymer-containing material, metal, metal-containing material, inorganic material, and mixtures thereof; andfiller; obtaining a mold having a cavity formed therein corresponding to a desired shape of the injection molded part; depositing the nanofibers at least partially on a surface of the cavity; injecting a matrix composition comprising polymer into the cavity; allowing the matrix composition to set; transferring the nanofibers at least partially from the surface of the cavity to the outer surface of the injection molded part; and extracting the injection molded part from the mold.