REINFORCED THERMOPLASTIC MULTI-LAYER HOSE FOR THE TRANSPORT OF FLUIDS AT HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102023127180
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-06-22
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-05
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-24
Smart Images

Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
INITIATIONThe information provided in this section is intended to generally illustrate the context of the disclosure. Work of the present inventors, insofar as described in this section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise belong to the prior art at the time of filing, will not be expressly or silently recognized as prior art over the present disclosure.The present disclosure relates to thermoplastic hoses, and more particularly to thermoplastic hoses having a layered structure for transporting fluids at high temperatures and pressures.Hoses or flexible tubes used for the conveyance of fluids, including automotive fluids, are often made of thermoplastic materials and may have a layered structure that imparts a desirable combination of mechanical strength, low permeability, chemical and thermal resistance, wear resistance, light weight, and flexibility to the hoses over a desired operating temperature range.SUMMARYA multilayer hose according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes a liner layer and an outer shell circumferentially surrounding the liner layer. The liner layer has an inner circumferential surface defining a tubular flow passage extending axially through the multilayer hose. The liner layer comprises ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene. The inner circumferential surface of the liner layer is electrically conductive and has a surface resistivity of less than or equal to about 1×10 6 ohms per square at 20 degrees Celsius. The outer shell defines an outer circumferential surface of the multilayer hose and includes a reinforcing material.The ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene may constitute, by weight, greater than or equal to about 80% to less than or equal to about 99.8% of the liner layer.The liner layer may comprise a continuous matrix phase and a dispersed phase dispersed throughout the continuous matrix phase. The continuous matrix phase may comprise ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene and the dispersed phase an electrically conductive agent.The electrically conductive agent may comprise carbon.The continuous matrix phase may constitute by weight greater than or equal to about 80% to less than or equal to about 99.8% of the liner layer. The electrically conductive agent may constitute, by weight, greater than or equal to about 0.2% to less than or equal to about 20% of the liner layer.The liner layer may have a two-layer structure comprising an electrically conductive inner layer and an electrically insulating outer layer surrounding the inner layer in the circumferential direction. The electrically conductive inner layer may form the inner circumferential surface of the liner layer and may comprise a continuous matrix phase of ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene and a dispersed phase with an electrically conductive agent. The electrically insulating outer layer may comprise ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene and have a surface resistivity of more than 1×10 6 ohms per square at 20 degrees Celsius.The outer sheath may be braided, woven, knitted or spirally wound.The reinforcement material may include metal, glass, ceramic, plastic, a carbon-based material, or a combination thereof.The reinforcing material may comprise stainless steel or glass fibers.In some cases, the reinforcement material may comprise braided glass fibers. In this case, the multilayer hose may further include an adhesive layer disposed between the liner layer and the outer shell. The adhesive layer may comprise a thermoplastic polymer.The multilayer tube may be substantially free of perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctanesulfonate, polytetrafluoroethylene, and combinations thereof.The multilayer tube may be configured to withstand temperatures from greater than or equal to about -40 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to about 180 degrees Celsius. The multilayer tubing may be configured to withstand internal pressures of up to 21 megapascals.The multilayer tube may further comprise a fitting disposed in an open end of the multilayer tube and a sleeve connected to the fitting and crimped around the open end of the multilayer tube such that a fluid-tight seal is formed between the fitting and the multilayer tube.A multilayer hose according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes a liner layer and an outer shell circumferentially surrounding the liner layer. The liner layer has an inner circumferential surface defining a tubular flow passage extending axially through the multilayer hose. The liner layer comprises ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene. The inner circumferential surface of the liner layer is electrically insulating and has a surface resistivity greater than 1 × 6 ohms per square at 20 degrees Celsius. The outer shell defines an outer circumferential surface of the multilayer hose and includes a reinforcing material.The ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene may constitute, by weight, greater than or equal to about 80% to less than or equal to about 99.8% of the liner layer.The outer sheath may be braided, woven, knitted or spirally wound.The reinforcement material may include metal, glass, ceramic, plastic, a carbon-based material, or a combination thereof.In some cases, the reinforcement material may comprise braided glass fibers. In this case, the multilayer hose may further include an adhesive layer disposed between the liner layer and the outer shell. The adhesive layer may comprise a thermoplastic polymer.The multilayer tube may be substantially free of perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctanesulfonate, polytetrafluoroethylene, and combinations thereof.The multilayer tube may further comprise a fitting disposed in an open end of the multilayer tube and a sleeve connected to the fitting and crimped around the open end of the multilayer tube such that a fluid-tight seal is formed between the fitting and the multilayer tube.Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multilayer hose according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multilayer hose according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hose line including the multi-layer hose of FIG. 1.In the drawings, reference numerals may be used repeatedly to identify similar and / or identical elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONA multilayer hose according to the present disclosure includes a liner layer and an outer shell circumferentially surrounding the liner layer. The liner layer comprises ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE) and imparts low permeability, high chemical and thermal resistance over a wide operating temperature range, and high strength to the multilayer hose. The outer shell comprises a reinforcement material that imparts increased strength, chemical and thermal resistance to the multilayer tube, and optionally improved barrier properties (lower permeability to fluids).Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a polymer of the perfluorinated chemical compound tetrafluoroethylene (C 2 F 4) and has a polymer backbone of pure carbon with fluorine atoms directly bonded thereto. PTFE consists exclusively of carbon and fluorine atoms and does not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds (C-H). In other words, the carbon skeleton of PTFE is fully fluorinated (perfluorinated). ECTFE, on the other hand, is an alternating copolymer of ethylene (C 2 H 4 or H 2 C=CH 2) and chlorotrifluoroethylene (CFCI=CF 2) and has a pure carbon polymer backbone with fluorine, hydrogen and chlorine atoms directly attached thereto. The presence of hydrogen and chlorine atoms directly attached to the carbon backbone of ECTFE means that ECTFE is only partially fluorinated (polyfluorinated). ECTFE is not a perfluorinated chemical compound. Thus, the liner layer may be formulated without the use of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), e.g., perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and combinations thereof. Moreover, the ECTFE can provide relatively high strength and creep resistance to the liner layer as compared to PTFE and allow the use of the multilayer tube in applications where the tube is crimped to form a fluid-tight seal to another device. The multilayer hose disclosed herein is lightweight and has excellent chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties at relatively low cost compared to multilayer hoses based on PFAS for sufficient chemical resistance and low permeability.FIG. 1 shows a multi-layer hose 10 having an outer circumferential surface 12 and an inner circumferential surface 14 forming a tubular flow passage 16 extending axially through the hose. The multilayer tube 10 includes a liner layer 18, a reinforcement layer 20, and optionally an adhesive layer 22. The multi-layer hose 10 may be used to carry or transport various types of automotive fluids, including fuel (e.g., volatile and / or heavy liquid fuel), engine oil, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and / or engine coolant. Fuel, engine oil, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, and brake fluid are non-aqueous fluids and are generally hydrocarbon based. On the other hand, engine coolant is often an aqueous fluid and may contain a mixture of water and an alcohol (e.g., ethylene glycol and / or propylene glycol). Examples of volatile liquid fuels include gasoline and aliphatic alcohols, e.g., methanol, ethanol, propanol, and / or butanol. Examples of heavy liquid fuels include diesel fuel.The multilayer hose 10 can be used in motor vehicles and have a wide operating temperature range of about -40 degrees Celsius (° C.) to about 180° C. The multilayer tube 10 has relatively high strength and can be used to carry fluids in the tubular flow channel 16 at internal pressures greater than or equal to about 0 pounds per square inch (psi), optionally 0.5 psi or optionally 80 psi to less than or equal to about 21 megapascals (MPa) (-3045 psi), optionally about 200 psi, optionally about 150 psi or optionally about 100 psi. The multilayer tube 10 may have a thickness defined between the outer circumferential surface 12 and the inner circumferential surface 14 of greater than or equal to about 1 millimeter (mm) to less than or equal to about 5 mm.The liner layer 18 is the innermost layer of the multilayer tube 10 and is configured to form a physical barrier that prevents fluid flowing through the tubular flow channel 16 from entering, permeating, or degrading the multilayer tube 10. The liner layer 18 has an inner surface 24 and an opposing outer surface 26, the inner surface 24 defining the inner circumferential surface 14 of the multilayer tube 10. The liner layer 18 comprises ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE). ECTFE is a partially crystalline, partially fluorinated aliphatic copolymer of ethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene. The ECTFE imparts excellent thermal and chemical resistance, impact resistance, creep resistance, and good processability for extrusion and injection molding applications as well as the ability to be crimped to, e.g., fittings and couplings to the liner layer 18. The ECTFE in particular imparts a high chemical resistance to fuels to the liner layer 18.The liner layer 18 may be electrically insulating or electrically conductive depending on the purpose. In applications where the multi-layer hose 10 is used to carry fuel (e.g., liquid fuel), engine oil, power steering fluid, and / or transmission fluid, it may be advantageous for the liner layer 18 to be electrically conductive. In applications where the multi-layer hose 10 is used to carry engine coolant and / or brake fluid, the liner layer 18 may be electrically insulating. In aspects where the liner layer 18 is electrically insulating, the liner layer 18 may consist essentially of or consist of ECTFE. In aspects where the liner layer 18 is electrically insulating, the liner layer 18 may have a surface resistivity of greater than 1×10 6 ohms per square (ohm / sq), or optionally 1×10 14 ohms / sq at 20 degrees Celsius.In aspects where the liner layer 18 is electrically conductive, the liner layer 18 has a composite structure comprising a continuous matrix phase and a dispersed phase dispersed throughout the continuous matrix phase. The continuous matrix phase may constitute, by weight, greater than or equal to about 80%, optionally about 90%, or optionally about 95% to less than or equal to about 99.8%, optionally about 99%, or optionally about 97% of the liner layer 18. The dispersed phase may comprise by weight greater than or equal to about 0.2%, optionally about 1%, or optionally about 3% to less than or equal to about 20%, optionally about 10%, or optionally about 5%, of the liner layer 18.The continuous matrix phase comprises ECTFE and may consist essentially of or consist of ECTFE. For example, the ECTFE may constitute, by weight, greater than or equal to about 80%, optionally about 90%, or optionally about 95% to less than or equal to about 99.8%, optionally about 99%, or optionally about 97% of the liner layer 18.The dispersed phase comprises an electrically conductive agent. The electrically conductive agent is distributed throughout at least a portion of the liner layer 18 and provides the desired electrical conductivity to the liner layer 18. For example, the electrically conductive agent may impart a surface resistivity to the liner layer 18 of less than or equal to about 1×10 6 ohms per square (ohm / sq), or optionally about 1×10 5 ohms / sq at 20 degrees Celsius. The electrically conductive agent may be substantially uniformly distributed throughout the continuous matrix phase or the concentration of the electrically conductive agent may vary within the composite structure of the liner layer 18. For example, the concentration of the electrically conductive agent may be relatively high in regions of the liner layer 18 disposed along the inner circumferential surface 14 of the multilayer hose 10 and relatively low in regions of the liner layer 18 disposed along the outer surface 26 of the liner layer 18. The electrically conductive agent may comprise particles of a carbon-based material, an electrically conductive polymer, or a combination thereof. Examples of carbon-based electrically conductive materials include carbon black (e.g., acetylene black), graphite, graphene (e.g., graphene nanoplatelets), carbon nanotubes (e.g., single and / or multiwall carbon nanotubes), carbon fibers (e.g., carbon nanofibers), and / or Ketjenblack®. Examples of electrically conductive polymers include polyaniline, polythiophene, polyacetylene and / or polypyrrole. The electrically conductive agent may comprise, by weight, greater than or equal to about 0.2%, optionally about 1%, or optionally about 3% to less than or equal to about 20%, optionally about 10%, or optionally about 5%, of the liner layer 18.The liner layer 18 may be substantially free of perfluorinated chemicals (PFC). For example, the liner layer 18 may be substantially free of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and combinations thereof. The liner layer 18 may have a thickness between the inner surface 30 and the outer surface 32 of greater than or equal to about 0.1 mm to less than or equal to about 1 mm.The reinforcement layer 20 is the outermost layer of the multilayer tube 10 and surrounds the liner layer 18. the reinforcement layer 20 defines the outer circumferential surface 12 of the multilayer tube 10. the reinforcement layer 20 is configured to provide the multilayer tube 10 with flexibility, durability, and resistance to abrasion, wear, impact, and weather (e.g., resistance to ozone and ultraviolet light). The reinforcing layer 20 comprises a reinforcing material. Examples of reinforcement materials include metals, glass, ceramics, plastics, carbon-based materials, and combinations thereof. Examples of reinforcing metals include steel, stainless steel, nickel, copper, and / or aluminum. Examples of reinforcing glass materials include amorphous silica, aluminosilicate glass (e.g., E glass), alkali-lime glass (e.g., A glass and / or C glass), aluminosilicate glass (e.g., E-CR glass), borosilicate glass (e.g., D glass), and / or aluminosilicate glass (e.g., R glass and / or S glass). Examples of reinforcing ceramic materials include crystalline silica (SiO 2), alumina (Al 2 O 3) and zirconia (Zr 2 O 3). Examples of reinforcing plastics include thermosetting polymers (e.g. epoxy, polyester and / or vinyl ester resin) and / or thermoplastic polymers (e.g. polyamides such as Kevlar and / or polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate). Examples of carbon-based reinforcing materials include carbon fibers and / or graphite. In some cases, the reinforcing material may comprise glass fibers having a plurality of glass fibers in a polymer matrix. In some aspects, the reinforcement layer 20 may be braided, woven, knitted, or spirally wound.The optional adhesive layer 22 is located between the liner layer 18 and the backing layer 20 and provides a strong physical bond between these two layers. The adhesive layer 22 may comprise a thermoplastic polymer, e.g., a polyolefin resin. The specific composition of the thermoplastic polymer may be selected based on the composition of the liner layer 18 and / or the reinforcement layer 20.In aspects, the multilayer hose 10 may be comprised of the liner layer 18 and the reinforcement layer 20 and may be free of additional layers underlying the liner layer 18, overlying the reinforcement layer 20, or interposed between the liner layer 18 and the reinforcement layer 20. In other aspects, the multilayer hose 10 may be comprised of the liner layer 18, the reinforcement layer 20, and the adhesive layer 22, and may be free of additional layers underlying the liner layer 18, overlying the reinforcement layer 20, or disposed between the liner layer 18 and the reinforcement layer 20.FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a multilayer hose 110. The multilayer tube 110 is similar in many respects to the multilayer tube 10, and like reference numerals within the various embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements in the drawings. Accordingly, the description of the multilayer hose 10 is integrated with that of the multilayer hose 110, and the description of the issues common to the multilayer hose 10 and the multilayer hose 110 need not be repeated here.The multilayer tube 110 includes a liner layer 118, a reinforcement layer 20, and optionally an adhesive layer 22. the liner layer 118 is the innermost layer of the multilayer tube 110 and has an inner surface 124 and an opposing outer surface 126, the inner surface 124 defining the inner circumferential surface 14 of the multilayer tube 110. The liner layer 118 has a two-layer structure including an inner layer 128 and an outer layer 130 circumferentially surrounding the inner layer 128. The inner layer 128 of the liner layer 118 defines the inner surface 124 of the liner layer 118 and the inner circumferential surface 14 of the multilayer tube 110. The outer layer 130 defines the outer surface 126 of the liner layer 118. The inner layer 128 is electrically conductive and may have substantially the same chemical composition as well as the same physical and electrical properties as the liner layer 18. On the other hand, the outer layer 130 is electrically insulating and may have substantially the same composition as the continuous matrix phase of the liner layer 18. The outer layer 130 may comprise ECTFE, for example, and consist essentially of or consist of ECTFE. The outer layer 130 may be substantially free of the electrically conductive agent. The outer layer 130 may have a surface resistivity of greater than 1×10 6 ohms / sq, or optionally 1×10 14 ohms / sq at 20 degrees Celsius.In some aspects, the multilayer hose 110 may be comprised of the liner layer 118 and the reinforcement layer 20 and may be free of additional layers underlying the liner layer 118, overlying the reinforcement layer 20, or disposed between the liner layer 118 and the reinforcement layer 20. In other aspects, the multilayer tube 110 may be comprised of the liner layer 118, the reinforcement layer 20, and the adhesive layer 22, and may be free of additional layers underlying the liner layer 118, overlying the reinforcement layer 20, or interposed between the liner layer 118 and the reinforcement layer 20.The multilayer tube 10, 110 may be manufactured by an extrusion process, e.g., a coextrusion process. In an extrusion process, a material having the same composition as one of the layers (e.g., 18, 20) is melted, fed to an extruder, and pressed through a die at high temperature and high pressure to form one of the layers. In a coextrusion process, multiple molten materials having different compositions corresponding to the different layers (e.g., 18, 20, 128, 130) may be fed into separate extruders and then forced through a single die where the molten materials are combined and concentrically and simultaneously applied around each other and over each other such that the layers adhere to each other to form the multilayer tube 10, 110. Alternatively, one or more of the inner layers (e.g., 18, 128) of the multilayer tubing 10, 110 may be preformed (e.g., by extrusion) and then one or more of the surrounding layers (e.g., 20, 130) formed over and concentrically around the one or more preformed inner layers. In some cases, the multilayer tube 10, 110 may be manufactured through multiple extrusion and / or coextrusion processes. Before extrusion (or coextrusion), the starting materials can be dried in order to remove the residual water content from them. In aspects where the reinforcement layer 20 is braided, woven, knitted, or spirally wound, the reinforcement layer 20 may be braided, woven, or otherwise formed around the liner layer 18, 118 after being formed in a continuous process, for example, by passing the liner layer 18, 118 through a braiding machine. In aspects where the multilayer tube 10, 110 includes the adhesive layer 22, the adhesive layer 22 may be applied to the liner layer 18, 118 before the reinforcement layer 20 is formed on the outer surface 26, 126.During the extrusion process, the thickness of the layers (e.g., 18, 20, 128, 130) may be measured (e.g., with a laser) and controlled or adjusted by controlling or adjusting extruder settings as the layers are extruded. The multilayer tube 10, 110 may be cooled as it exits the extruder and either laid in rolls or cut to a desired length. Each cut length of the multilayer tube 10, 110 may be placed in a mold to assume a preconfigured shape and heated (e.g., on a belt passing through an oven) to soften the multilayer tube 10, 110 and produce the shape dictated by the mold.FIG. 3 shows a hose line 200 comprising the multilayer hose 10, a connection piece 240 and optionally a sleeve 242. The tubing 200 has a central axis 244 that is aligned with the central axis of the multilayer tubing 10 and the tubular flow passage 16. The fitting 240 is configured to fluidly couple the multi-layer hose 10 to another device and includes a first end 246, an opposing second end 248 having an outer circumferential surface 249, and a fluid flow passage (not shown) extending therethrough and aligned with the central axis 244 of the hose line 200. The tubing 200 is shown and described with respect to the multilayer tubing 10, but this description also applies to the multilayer tubing 110. For example, in some embodiments, the multilayer tube 110 may replace the multilayer tube 10 shown in FIG. 3.As shown in FIG. 3, the multilayer hose 10 has an open end 32. During assembly, the second end 248 of the fitting 240 is received in the open end 32 of the multilayer hose 10 and partially disposed in the tubular flow passage 16 such that the fluid flow passage of the fitting 240 is in fluid communication with the tubular flow passage 16 of the multilayer hose 10. In some aspects, the second end 248 of the fitting 240 may be press fit into the open end 32 of the multilayer tube 10 such that the outer circumferential surface 249 abuts the inner circumferential surface 14 of the multilayer tube 10 forming a fluid-tight seal therebetween.In other aspects, the sleeve 242 may be used to form a fluid-tight seal between the fitting 240 and the multilayer tube 10. In this case, the sleeve 242 is configured to retain the second end 248 of the fitting 240 within the tubular flow passage 16 defined by the multilayer tube 10. The sleeve 242 has a substantially cylindrical body 250 having a collar 252 and an engaging portion 254. The collar 252 defines a bushing 256 and is configured to receive and connect the sleeve 242 to the fitting 240. The engagement portion 254 is configured to couple the fitting 240 to the multilayer hose 10 and may include a plurality of teeth 258 disposed on an inner circumferential surface 260 thereof. In other embodiments, the inner circumferential surface 260 of the engagement portion 254 may be smooth and substantially free of surface protrusions.During the assembly of the hose line 200, the connecting piece 240 is received in the bushing 256 and coupled to the collar 252 of the sleeve 254, for example by screwing in. The second end 248 of the fitting 240 is received in the open end 32 of the multilayer tube 10, and then the engagement portion 254 of the sleeve 242 is crimped around the open end 32 of the multilayer tube 10 (and around the second end 248 of the fitting 240) such that the plurality of teeth 258 engage the outer circumferential surface 12 of the multilayer tube 10 and form a fluid tight seal around the outer circumferential surface 12 of the multilayer tube 10 and between the fitting 240 and the multilayer tube 10.The foregoing description is for illustrative purposes only and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure may be practiced in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes specific examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited as other modifications will become apparent upon examination of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims. It should be appreciated that one or more steps within a method may be performed in different order (or simultaneously) without altering the principles of the present disclosure. Further, although each of the embodiments described above has particular features, one or more of these features described with respect to any embodiment of the disclosure may be implemented in and / or combined with features of any other embodiments, even if this combination is not expressly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and permutations of one or more embodiments with one another remain within the scope of this disclosure.The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing example embodiments only and is not to be taken as limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a" and "an" and "the" may also include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, compositions, steps, integers, operations, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. Although the open terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having" are to be understood as non-limiting terms that serve to describe and claim various embodiments set forth herein, in certain aspects, the terms may alternatively be understood as more limiting and restrictive terms, such as "consisting of" or "consisting essentially of.". Therefore, for any given embodiment that specifies compositions, materials, components, elements, ingredients, features, integers, operations, and / or process steps, the present disclosure expressly also includes embodiments that consist of or consist essentially of such specified compositions, materials, components, elements, ingredients, features, integers, operations, and / or process steps. In the case of "consisting of", the alternative embodiment excludes any additional compositions, materials, components, elements, ingredients, features, integers, operations, and / or process steps, while in the case of "consisting essentially of", any additional compositions, materials, components, elements, ingredients, features, integers, operations, and / or process steps that significantly impact the basic and novel characteristics are excluded from such an embodiment, but any compositions, materials, components, elements, ingredients, features, integers, operations, and / or process steps that do not significantly impact the basic and novel characteristics may be included in the embodiment.All method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring execution in the order discussed or illustrated, unless expressly characterized as the order of execution. It will also be appreciated that additional or alternative steps may be employed, unless otherwise indicated.When a component, element, or layer is referred to as being "on" or "engaged to" another element or layer, or as being "connected" or "coupled" to it, it may be directly on or engaged to the other component, element, or layer, or be connected or coupled to it, or intervening elements or layers may be present. On the other hand, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly engaged to" another element or layer, or as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to it, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent," or "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent" or "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.Although the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. may be used herein to describe various steps, elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections, these steps, elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms unless otherwise specified. These terms may be used only to distinguish one step, element, component, region, layer, or portion from another step, element, component, region, layer, or portion. Terms such as "first / r", "second / r", and other numerical terms, when used herein, do not imply a sequence or order unless the context clearly indicates. Thus, a first step, element, component, region, layer, or portion discussed below could be referred to as a second step, element, component, region, layer, or portion without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.Spatially or temporally relative terms such as "before," "after," "inner," "outer," "below," "under," "lower," "over," "upper," and the like may be used herein for convenience to describe the relationship of an element or feature to one or more other elements or features as illustrated in the figures. Spatially or temporally relative terms may be intended to include different orientations of the device or system in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.Throughout this disclosure, the numerical values represent approximate dimensions or limits for ranges and include minor deviations from the stated values and embodiments, such as those having the stated value, as well as those having exactly the stated value. Unlike the working examples at the end of the detailed description, all numerical values of parameters (e.g., amounts or conditions) in this specification are to be understood as being modified by the term "about" in all cases, regardless of whether or not "about" actually appears before the numerical value. Numerical values of parameters in the appended claims are to be understood as modified by the term "about" only if this term appears before the numerical value. "about" means that the numerical value indicated permits slight imprecision (with some approximation to the accuracy of the value, approximately or rather close to the value, fast). Where the imprecision given by "about" is not otherwise understood by this common meaning in the art, then "about" as used herein means at least modifications that may result from common methods of measuring and using such parameters. For example, "about" may comprise a deviation of less than or equal to 5%, optionally less than or equal to 4%, optionally less than or equal to 3%, optionally less than or equal to 2%, optionally less than or equal to 1%, optionally less than or equal to 0.5%, and in certain aspects, optionally less than or equal to 0.1%. Moreover, the disclosure of ranges includes the disclosure of all values and further divided ranges within the entire range, including the endpoints and the sub-ranges indicated for the ranges.As used herein, the terms "composition" and "material" are used interchangeably to refer generally to a substance that contains at least the preferred chemical components, elements or compounds, but which may also contain additional elements, compounds or substances, including traces of impurities, unless otherwise specified. An "X-based" composition or material generally refers to compositions or materials wherein "X" is the largest single component of the composition or material in weight percent (%). This may include both compositions or materials having a weight fraction of greater than 50% X and compositions or materials having a weight fraction of less than 50% X, as long as X is the largest single component of the composition or material based on its total weight. When a composition or material is referred to as being "substantially free" of a substance, the composition or material may contain less than 5%, optionally less than 3%, optionally less than 1%, or optionally less than 0.1% of the substance.As used herein, the term "metal" may refer to a pure elemental metal or an alloy of an elemental metal and one or more other metal or non-metal elements (referred to as "alloying elements"). The alloying elements can be selected to impart certain desirable properties to the alloy that the parent metal element does not have.
Claims
A multilayer hose comprising: a liner layer having an inner circumferential surface defining a tubular flow passage extending axially through the multilayer hose, the liner layer comprising ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene and the inner circumferential surface of the liner layer being electrically conductive and having a surface resistivity of less than or equal to 1×10 6 ohms per square at 20 degrees Celsius; and an outer shell circumferentially surrounding the liner layer and defining an outer circumferential surface of the multilayer hose, the outer shell comprising a reinforcing material.The multilayer hose of claim 1, wherein the ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene constitutes, by weight, greater than or equal to about 80% to less than or equal to about 99.8% of the liner layer.The multilayer hose of claim 1, wherein the liner layer comprises: a continuous matrix phase; and a dispersed phase dispersed throughout the continuous matrix phase, wherein the continuous matrix phase comprises the ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene and the dispersed phase comprises an electrically conductive carbon comprising agent.The multilayer hose of claim 1, wherein the liner layer has a two-layer structure comprising: an electrically conductive inner layer defining the inner circumferential surface of the liner layer and comprising a continuous matrix phase containing ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene and a dispersed phase containing an electrically conductive agent; and an electrically insulating outer layer circumferentially surrounding the inner layer, wherein the electrically insulating outer layer comprises ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene and has a surface resistivity greater than 1×10 6 ohms per square at 20 degrees Celsius.The multilayer tube of claim 1, wherein the outer sheath is braided, woven, knitted or spirally wound.The multilayer hose of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement material comprises metal, glass, ceramic, plastic, a carbon-based material, or a combination thereof.The multilayer hose of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement material comprises braided fiberglass, and wherein the multilayer hose further comprises: an adhesive layer disposed between the liner layer and the outer shell, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer.The multilayer tube of claim 1, wherein the multilayer tube is substantially free of perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctanesulfonate, polytetrafluoroethylene, and combinations thereof, the multilayer tube is configured to withstand temperatures of greater than or equal to about -40 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to about 180 degrees Celsius, and wherein the multilayer tube is configured to withstand internal pressures of up to about 21 megapascals.The multilayer tube of claim 1, further comprising: a fitting disposed in an open end of the multilayer tube; and a sleeve connected to the fitting and crimped around the open end of the multilayer tube such that a fluid-tight seal is formed between the fitting and the multilayer tube.A multilayer hose comprising: a liner layer having an inner circumferential surface defining a tubular flow channel extending axially through the multilayer hose, the liner layer being electrically insulating and having a surface resistivity of greater than 1×10 6 ohms per square at 20 degrees Celsius, the liner layer comprising ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene in an amount by weight that constitutes greater than or equal to about 80% to less than or equal to about 99.8% of the liner layer; and an outer shell circumferentially surrounding the liner layer and defining an outer circumferential surface of the multilayer hose, the outer shell comprising a braided, woven, knitted, or spirally wound reinforcing material comprising metal, glass, ceramic, plastic, a carbon-based material, or a combination thereof.
Citation Information
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