Toronto-based Integran Technologies Inc. (Integran) today announced further expansion of its "structural metal plating-on-polymer" patent portfolio (Nanovate™ NP) with the issuance on Mar 12, 2013 of US 8,394,507 which discloses lightweight metal-coated polymer articles having superior thermal cycling performance.
Differences in thermal expansion have previously limited the operating temperature range of hybrids of metals and polymers. By developing processes which can now achieve previously unattainable levels of metal-to-polymer adhesion, Integran has extended the structural applicability of its metal-polymer hybrids to much greater temperature extremes. These processes are applicable to a wide range of polymers including carbon/glass fiber reinforced polyamides (PA), polyether-imides (PEI), polyamide-imides (PAI), polyimides (PI) and polyether-ether ketones (PEEK).
Integran's President & CEO Gino Palumbo stated, "This represents a significant advance in the replacement of all-metal parts with our lightweight metal-clad polymer part technology by expanding the applicability to components which may be subjected to severe thermal cycles. Although applicable to many industrial, biomedical and consumer products, this development is particularly relevant to space, aerospace and defense applications."
Source: http://www.integran.com