Wear resistant toughened and reinforced polyacetal compositions

Abstract

Polyacetal resin compositions having good wear resistance and a combination of good toughness and stiffness. The compositions comprise polyacetal, toughener, carbon fibers, and, optionally, glass fibers.

Description

field of invention [0001] The present invention relates to abrasion resistant polyacetal compositions having a good combination of toughness and stiffness. Background of the invention [0002] Many applications involve parts that are in direct contact and relative motion to other parts. Many polymeric materials are commonly used in these applications because they are lightweight, have good physical properties, and can be formed into a variety of shapes. However, these materials must generally have good wear and fatigue resistance, especially when used for long periods of time. Polyacetal (also known as polyoxymethylene or POM) is known to have excellent tribological properties as well as good physical properties and wear resistance. [0003] In many of these applications, it is also often important that the polymeric materials used have good mechanical properties such as toughness and stiffness, especially when exposed to heat. Unreinforced polyacetal compositions general...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Unreinforced polyacetal compositions generally have good elongation at yield and abrasion resistance, but for some applications, especially at elevated temperatures, such compositions may not have sufficient stiffness

Additives such as mineral fillers and fiber reinforcements are commonly used to improve the physical properties of polymer compositions, but when general reinforcements such as glass fibers are used in polyacetal compositions, the resulting improved mechanical properties may often be as low as Significant reduction in wear resistance at the expense of