Insulation protection tape

Details Insulation protection tape Insulation protection tape

2000-01-13

2002-04-23

Dunn, Tom (Department: 1725)

Stock material or miscellaneous articles

Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or...

Adhesive outermost layer

C428S327000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06376068

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This instant invention relates to a two-phase thermoplastic elastomer substrate film for an adhesive tape and an adhesive tape comprising a non(poly(vinyl chloride)) containing substrate film backing, which provides good adhesion to itself and to pipe insulation over steel pipes, along with excellent properties in both cold temperatures and high temperatures.
2. Description of the Related Art
In industries which have large pipes to convey liquids or gases such as the petrochemical industry, the pipes are frequently stainless steel or other metals which are prone to corrosion. The pipes are typically covered with insulation which may be a variety of materials such as polyurethane foam, ceramic foam, fibrous materials, fiberglass or the like. Other possible layers include an anticorrosion coating on the pipe, and a water-vapor barrier layer over the insulation to prevent water entry. The corrosion protection element placed thereover has commonly been metal cladding. This cladding is formed from stainless steel or aluminum into preformed shapes (tees, elbows, clam shells, etc.) and shipped to the location of installation. The preformed shapes are placed over the insulation (and other layers discussed above, if any) and held together by steel bands or rivets and screws. The seams in the cladding are usually caulked with a silicone caulk. This system has many difficulties; it is expensive to make and to transport and install. Further, the cladding has no flexibility. This can cause problems if any distortion occurs in the claddings, such as that caused by irregularities in the pipe surface, or inexact fit. The seams then tend to open and not be reclosable, which allows for entry of water and other contaminants. The cladding is also subject to corrosion itself.
Polymeric materials are flexible, and desirable for use as insulation protection layers for various applications, some of which require flame retardance. Such a material, when used with an adhesive would offer reduced expense, labor, and safer installations, along with reentry ease and flexibility, but requires both the ability to adhere at low temperatures, and to have stability at high temperatures. A variety of efforts have been made to improve either the flame retardance or the adhesion of such materials, especially in temperature extremes. However, many materials have poor dimensional stability at high temperatures, and reduced flexibility and/or adhesion at low temperatures.
It is known that thermoplastic polymers may be rendered flame resistant by the addition of organohalide compounds, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,530,164. One problem with use of these compounds however is that they migrate through the polymer and bloom to the surface, where the exudate causes a dullness which is aesthetically displeasing. Also, of course such blooming results in loss of flame retardance. A second problem is dripping if the polymer melts during flame contact. Finally, many applications require that the materials used be free of poly(vinyl chloride)s for environmental and/or safety reasons.
WO 9729153 discloses a thermoplastic elastomer composition which, when used as, at least the inner layer of a hose, attains an improvement in the flexibility, oil resistance and low-temperature properties.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,356 discloses a tape wrap system for protecting metal tubes and pipes from corrosion comprising a primer coating, an inner wrap and an outerwrap. The innerwrap is a polyolefin layer with an adhesive on the inner surface and a heat fusible material on its outer surface, and the outerwrap is an impact-resistant polyolefin layer having a heat fusible layer on one or both surfaces. Heating fuses the innerwrap and outerwrap into a continuous closed protective coating.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,637 discloses fire-retardant thermoplastic compounds that are chemically crosslinked, comprising 5-60% olefinic copolymers, 1-15% organopolysiloxane, and 20-85% flame retardant. Preferred embodiments include a copolymer, and an additional elastomer or ethylene copolymer. The preferred elastomers are EP or EPDM copolymers. Ethylene vinylacetate is also disclosed. Metal oxide hydrates are used as the fire-retardant compound.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,642 discloses a resin containing polyolefins, preferably polypropylene. Ammonium polyphosphate particles are used for flame retardance, and a melamine resin encapsulates the particles.
EP Patent 274,888 discloses a flame retardant halogen-free elastomer composition containing greater than 50% inorganic filler. Addition of a coupling agent is not disclosed.
JP Patent 04,139,241 discloses an olefinic resin blended with ammonium polyphosphate, a silane coupling agent, and olefinic synthetic rubber and a petroleum resin. An example of the silane is vinyl trimethoxysilane. Advantages of this compound are high electrical resistance and high bleed resistance.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,357 discloses a flame retardant composition containing polypropylene as the major constituent, a silane coupling agent, and/or olefinic synthetic rubbers, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) or melamine-modified APP and one or more nitrogen compounds, and optionally polyethylene resin, crosslinking agent and thiophosphate.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,808,474 and 4,769,283 disclose a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape film substrate having improved toughness comprising blends of crystalline isotactic polypropylene and compatible flexible polymers (in the former) or compatible ethylene containing polymers (in the latter), such polymers including EPDM and/or EVA.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,024 discloses a biodegradable pressure-sensitive adhesive tape film substrate comprising such a blend combined with an unsaturated elastomer.
U.S. Pat. No.4,910,639 discloses a biaxially oriented film suitable for use as an electrically insulating film. The film is composed of polyolefins, and contains carbonate particles as a neutralizing agent.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,390 discloses a thermoplastic elastomer comprising a blend of plastic and cured rubber produced by masticating during vulcanization at a shear rate of at least 2000 sec
−1
. Such compositions may include other ingredients such as fillers, carbon black, clay, silica, plasticizers, and the like.
It has now been discovered that an adhesive tape formed from adhesive coated onto a film substrate that contains a two-phase thermoplastic elastomer along with a flame retardant, provides excellent protection to the insulation commonly used around steel piping even when subjected to low temperature extremes. The film substrate also exhibits excellent high temperature stability. The film substrate and tape of the invention also offer advantages over currently available products which use poly(vinyl chloride) as a major ingredient in their substrates; the amount of corrosive gases released on combustion and water vapor transmission rates are reduced, while flame retardance is maintained and extreme temperature properties are improved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention provides a film substrate useful for forming the backing of an adhesive tape which provides good adhesion to itself along with excellent flame retardance, increased flexibility at low temperature, and high temperature dimensional stability.
Specifically, film substrates of the invention comprise a two-phase thermoplastic elastomer blend comprising a continuous phase and a particulate phase, and a flame retardant wherein the film substrate has a storage modulus of at least about 10
7
Pascals up to about 150° C.
Preferred film substrate of the invention comprise a two-phase thermoplastic elastomer blend having a continuous phase formed from a polyolefin selected from polypropylene or polyethylene and mixtures thereof, and a particulate phase formed from a copolymer formed from monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, and diene monomers.
Adhesive tapes of the invention comprise an adhesive coating coated onto a film substrate which has a composition comprising a t

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Insulation protection tape does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Insulation protection tape, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Insulation protection tape will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2891749