Abstract: The present invention provides a metal/polymer composite comprising a polymeric substrate and a sintered mat of randomly-oriented metal fibers embedded therein, the fibers having a substantially circular cross-section and a diameter of about 10 to 200 .mu.m. The polymeric substrate is typically a thin, flexible sheet-like material having a pair of planar surfaces. The polymeric substrate is preferably thermoformable. If thermoformability is desired the metal will have a melting point of less than the thermoforming temperature of the polymeric substrate. The thermoformable metal/polymer composite of the present invention may be stretched to at least 20%, and often can be stretched at least 200% of its original dimensions, at least in certain regions, without loss of electrical continuity or EMI shielding properties. The present invention also provides a method of making a metal/polymer composite and a sintered mat of randomly-oriented metal fibers.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 21, 1992
Date of Patent:
July 13, 1993
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Inventors:
David C. Koskenmaki, Clyde D. Calhoun, Pamela S. Tucker, Robert L. Lambert, Jr.