Abstract: A fixing apparatus for an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes: a rotatable heat roll; a heat-resistant elastic member fixedly disposed to form a nip section in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the heat roll, the heat-resistant elastic member being impregnated with a liquid release agent which is supplied to the nip section; and a porous fluororesin film formed by sintering a fluororesin powder for coating a surface of the heat-resistant elastic member coming in contact with the heat roll so that the release agent can be supplied by a predetermined amount while permeating through the film. The porous fluororesin film may include: a film formed by using metal fibers, glass fibers, or the like as a supporting member thereof, and a film formed by applying a gelled dimethyl silicone oil at least to a single surface of the film.

Abstract: A liquid crystal-containing precursor for a liquid crystal display device consisting of a porous polytetrafluoroethylene film which has the structure defining the pores treated with a hydrophilic substance. The pores of the treated porous film are substantially filled with liquid crystals. The hydrophilizing treatment increases the transition speed of the liquid crystals from light-scattering orientation to light-transmitting orientation. The liquid crystal-filled film can be covered with transparent non-porous layers of material, having an electrically-conductive film on at least one surface, which can be hermetically sealed at the edges, to permit long-term storage of the liquid crystals in ready-to-use sheet form and easy inclusion into a liquid crystal display device.

Abstract: The invention is for a process to manufacture liquid crystal polymer films having balanced physical properties. The process includes feeding an oriented liquid crystal polymer material into a melt region formed between support membranes passing over the surface of and through an opening between heated rolls. The orientation of the liquid crystal polymer material is randomized and passed through the opening with the support membranes to form a laminated sandwich structure consisting of an unoriented liquid crystal polymer film between the support membranes. In another embodiment of the invention laminated sandwich structure is stretched to impart multiaxial orientation to the liquid crystal polymer film. The support membranes can be optionally removed to produce a film having a desirable surface finish.

Abstract: A flexible, non-porous tube characterized by the fact that the void spaces present in the luminal surface of a substrate tube of porous polytetrafluoroethylene are filled with a silicone or fluorosilicone rubber, that a continuous coating of said silicone or fluorosilicone rubber is not present on the inner surface of said tube, and that the inner surface of said tube incorporates surfaces of both the polytetrafluoroethylene and the silicone or fluorosilicone rubber. The tube has excellent lubricity, resistance to contamination, resistance to chemicals, and has exceptional tube flexing properties. The flexible tube may be employed, for example, as a tube for removal of gas destructively tested by a gas sensor, as a tube for transporting various liquids, and particularly as a tube in medical applications, such as a forceps channel tube, an endoscope channel tube, a bodily fluid transport tube, catheter tube, or the like. A method of making the tube is also described.

Abstract: Distilling tube apparatus for converting salt water such as sea water into fresh water is provided. The apparatus includes a first tube through which a feed stream of heated salt water is caused to flow, the first tube being constructed of a porous material which is both water-vapor permeable and liquid water impermeable, which tube allows water vapor to permeate through its walls thereof when heated salt water flows therethrough, the vapor then condensing outside of the first tube upon cooling of the vapor thereat. This first tube is preferably constructed of porous, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. A second tube oriented in generally parallel relationship and in close proximity to the first tube is provided through which cooling water is caused to flow. The cooling water is maintained at a temperature lower than that of the heated salt water, thereby resulting in a lowering of the temperature of the surroundings of the second tube and providing an enhanced driving force for distillation of the salt water.

Abstract: A liquid metering and coating device made of a liquid permeation control material including porous polytetrafluoroethylene, adhered to a porous support material of open-celled foam. The porous support and permeation control material contain mixtures of silicone oil and silicone rubber which bond to the porous support material and form an interconnected network of silicone rubber throughout the device. The device is suitable for use as a part of a toner fixation mechanism in a plain paper copying machine.

Abstract: A printed circuit board assembly having a coverlay film which is a composite film consisting of a porous fluoropolymer film coated with a thermoplastic or heat-curing adhesive is disclosed. The coverlay film has excellent conformability and adhesion to the printed circuit board and low dielectric constant.

Abstract: A filamentary material of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) having an apparent density of 2.0 g/cc or more, tensile strength of 5 grams/denier or more, tensile elongation at break of 15% or more, high axial orientation and high crystalline content is disclosed. The filamentary material, when analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry, exhibits two endothermic peaks; the ratio of the energy defined by the higher temperature peak to the energy defined by the lower temperature peak being equal to or greater than 2.

Abstract: An elastic fixing roll having an elastic, compliant body material and release surface material is disclosed. The body material comprises porous silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, or fluorocarbon rubber foam, or a porous synthetic polymer foam reinforced with silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, or fluorocarbon rubber. The release surface material is formed of porous polytetrafluoroethylene film containing silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, or fluorocarbon rubber and is bonded to the body material by a non-continuous layer of adhesive.

Abstract: An oil- and water-repellent filter which contains a porous filter material that has its internal and external surfaces coated with a compound formed by combining a fluoropolymer having a fluorine-containing aliphatic cyclic structure in the main chain and a fluoropolymer containing polyfluoroalkyl groups. The coating imparts superior oil- and water-repellency without impairment to the flow of air or other gases through the filter.

Abstract: A composite membrane is provided in which a functional separation membrane is adhered to a hydrophilic porous fluoropolymer support membrane whose pores are coated with a fluorine-containing copolymer that provides durable hydrophilic properties to the membrane.

Abstract: A resin-sealed semiconductor device, including a chip mounting die pad, porous fluorocarbon material located just beneath the die pad, beneath a die-pad supporting layer, gold lead wires, or in a sealing resin surrounding the other components, wherein any water vapor generated by the heat of soldering will be held within the porous fluorocarbon rather than crack the sealant under internal pressure.

Abstract: A porous composite material for diaphragms for high-output electrochemical cells such as lithium cells. The material is a layered structure of fluoropolymer and polyolefin that provides a shut-down capability that safeguards against dangerous failure of the cell, such as a rupture or fire that may result from a short-circuit or other high-rate electric discharge.

Abstract: A fixing unit has a fixing roller and an endless belt. When a recording sheet bearing a toner image not yet fixed passes between the fixing roller and the endless belt, the fixing unit fixes the toner image onto the recording sheet in the nip area. The endless belt is a film-like belt consisting of a base film and a layer on the base film, the layer being made of a composite material containing porous material and elastomer. A fixing unit is thus provided which is free from the problems of image offset and lifetime shortening, and can realize the increase of fixing speed and/or size reduction.

Abstract: A composite material comprising a porous polymeric material bonded to a silicone resin substrate with a silicone-based adhesive agent, wherein only part of the pores of said porous material in the thickness direction thereof contain said silicone-based adhesive agent.

Abstract: A resin-sealed semiconductor device, including a chip mounting die pad, porous fluorocarbon material located just beneath the die pad, beneath a die-pad supporting layer, gold lead wires, or in a sealing resin surrounding the other components, wherein any water vapor generated by the heat of soldering will be held within the porous fluorocarbon rather than crack the sealant under internal pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides porous fluoropolymer articles for diffusion of gases into aqueous liquids whose surface is coated with a hydrophilic fluorine-containing copolymer.

Abstract: A carrier sheet for printed circuits and semiconductor chips having enhanced adhesion of conductive metal layers to a fluororesin surface resulting from rendering the fluororesin surface hydrophilic by a hydrophilic macromolecule before plating the metal onto the surface.

Abstract: A metallized porous fluorinated polymer in which at least the inside surfaces are coated with a hydrophilic fluorinated polymer and the surface of the hydrophilic polymer coated with a metal film and a process for its manufacture.

Abstract: A boiler system having a condensate line and a deaeration or and a condensate tank characterized by the fact that the deaerator is placed between the condensation tank and the boiler.