LARSEN ROBERT B (US)
DOWNARD VINCENT J (US)
STEIDLEY ROY B (US)
ARMFIELD DAWN A (US)
FOURNIER PAUL H (US)
KAPUSTAY JOHN B JR (US)
PEZICK JEFFREY B (US)
LEVENDUSKY THOMAS L (US)
LARSEN ROBERT B (US)
DOWNARD VINCENT J (US)
STEIDLEY ROY B (US)
ARMFIELD DAWN A (US)
FOURNIER PAUL H (US)
KAPUSTAY JOHN B JR (US)
PEZICK JEFFREY B (US)
US5407702A | 1995-04-18 | |||
DE1446737A1 | 1969-10-23 | |||
CH584382A5 | 1977-01-31 | |||
EP0011883A1 | 1980-06-11 | |||
EP0312304A1 | 1989-04-19 | |||
BE622883A | 1963-01-16 | |||
AU419658B2 | 1971-12-09 | |||
US3294613A | 1966-12-27 | |||
US2175125A | 1939-10-03 |
1. | A process for extrusion coating a metal strip to produce a coated metal strip comprising: providing a strip of metal about 0.007 to 0.014 inches (0.1778 0.356 mm) thick; heating said metal strip to at least about 400°F (204°C) but not so high as to deleteriously affect the desired properties of the metal strip; extruding a polymer resin onto both sides of said heated metal strip to form coatings which are at least partially bonded to said metal strip said coatings each having a thickness in a range of about 0.0003 inches to 0.0015 inches (0.00760.038 mm); heating said coated metal strip to at least the glass transition point of said resin but not so high as to deleteriously affect the desired properties of the metal strip such that said resin bonds to said metal strip; and cooling said coated metal strip to less than about 104°F (40°C) to solidify said resin in a substantially noncrystalline form. |
2. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which said strip metal is heated after it exits said first pair of rolls and before it enters said second pair of rolls. |
3. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which said strip is heated to at least approximately the glass transition temperature of said polymer webs after the strip exits said second set of rolls. |
4. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which said strip is heated to at least the melting point of said polymer after it exits said second set of rolls. |
5. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which said polymer in at least one said web is polyester. |
6. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which the polymer in both said webs contain essentially no solvent. |
7. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which said polymer webs are 100% polymer material. |
8. | A process as set forth in claim 3 in which said coated strip metal is cooled quickly to less than about 150°F (66°C) to solidify said polymer. |
9. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which said coated strip metal is quickly cooled to solidify the polymer on both faces of the strip in substantially non crystalline form. |
10. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which said first polymer web is the same composition as said second polymer web. |
11. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which said first polymer web is a different composition from said second polymer web. |
12. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which at least one of said polymer webs contains pigment. |
13. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which said strip metal is an aluminum alloy. |
14. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which said polymer webs are drawn to thicknesses in a range of approximately 0.0001 to 0.005 inch. |
15. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which said polymer webs are drawn to thicknesses in a range of approximately 0.0002 to 0.002 inch. |
16. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which said strip is moved downwardly through the nips between said first and second pairs of rolls. |
17. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which the axes of said first pair of rolls are substantially horizontal and said strip travels downwardly at an angle in a range of approximately 3070° to horizontal for feeding into the nip between the rolls in said first pair and exits them in a downward direction at an angle in a range of approximately 60° to 140° to said direction of travel of the web into the rolls. |
18. | A process as set forth in claim 17 in which said strip enters said first pair of rolls at an angle of about 45° to horizontal and exits said first pair of rolls at angle of about 45° to horizontal. |
19. | A process as set forth in claim 17 in which said strip travels in substantially a straight path from said first pair of rolls to and through the rolls in said second pair of rolls. |
20. | A process as set forth in claim 19 in which the axes of the rolls in said second pair are disposed in a plane which is at approximately a 90° angle to the plane of travel of said strip through said second pair of rolls. |
21. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which aid strip travels substantially vertically downwardly through the nip between said first and second set of rolls. |
22. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which said cooling is effected promptly after its exit from said second pair of rolls and before contact of the coatings on the strip by any rolls or other mechanical devices. |
23. | A process as set forth in claim 22 in which said coated metal strip is heated to at least the melting point of said polymer before it is cooled. |
24. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which said first and second polymer webs are drawn to reduce their thickness in draw ratios of about 1 : 1 to 200: 1. |
25. | A process as set forth in claim 24 in which the draw ratios are in a range of about 10: 1 to 40:1. |
26. | A process as set forth in claim 25 in which the draw ratios are about 25: 1. |
27. | A process as set forth in claim 24 in which one of said webs is reduced in thickness more than the other web. |
28. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which at least one of said polymer webs comprises a high melt viscosity resin. |
29. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which at least one of said polymer webs comprises a blend of a high melt viscosity polyester resin and a bottle grade polyethylene teraphthalate resin. |
30. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which said strip metal comprises aluminum alloy in a range of about 0.007 to 0.014 in thick in an intermediate to hard temper. |
31. | A process as set forth in claim 1 in which said strip metal is cleaned and treated before it is coated with said polymer webs. |
32. | A process as set forth in claim 31 in which said strip is treated with a conversion coating. |
33. | Aluminum strip having thin polymer coatings tightly bonded on both faces thereof by the process set forth in claim 1 . |
34. | Aluminum strip as set forth in claim 33 in which the polymer on at least one face of the strip includes a high melt viscosity polyester. |
35. | Aluminum strip as set forth in claim 33 in which said polymer on at least one face of the strip comprises a mix of high melt viscosity polyester and a botde grade polyester. |
36. | Apparatus for coating both sides of metal strip with polymer comprising: means for preheating metal strip; first and second pairs of rolls each of which pair includes a casting roll and a backup roll forms a nip for metal strip and a polymer web to move therethrough to adhere the web to the strip; at least one extruder; first and second extrusion dies for extruding a web of polymer less than about 0.030 inch thick; means for postheating the metal strip after it has moved through both the first and second pairs of rolls and had polymer webs adhered on both sides thereof; and means for quickly cooling the strip after it has been postheated. |
37. | Apparatus as set forth in claim 36 which includes means for reheadng said strip as it travels between said first pair of rolls and said second pair of rolls. |
38. | Apparatus as set forth in claim 36in which aid backup roll in each said pair has a compressible material as the outer roll portion of the roll. |
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for applying a polymer
coating on a strip of metal and, in particular, to a method of coating both sides of an
aluminum strip with thermoplastic resins from extruders and extrusion dies which are
positioned to deposit the thermoplastic resin on opposite sides of the strip. The
product of this invention is a strip of metal, such as aluminum, which has thin oolymer
coatings on both sides thereof and which has many applications, but is particularly
well suited for use in packaging applications such as can ends and can bodies.
It is known to coat metal sheet or strip with thermoplastic resin on one or
both sides to improve the corrosion resistance, formability, appearance or other
properties of the material. The coating can be applied by a variety of processes such
as roll coating, reverse roll coating, spraying, electrocoating, powder coating, and
lamination. The coated strip may be used for applications such as in cans and can
ends, foil pouches, lidding stock, appliances, electrical devices, construction,
aerospace or automotive body sheet.
United States Patent No. 5,093,208 to Heyes et al discloses a method for
forming a laminated metal sheet in which a precast thermoplastic polyester film is
pressed against one or both surfaces of a metal sheet to adhere the film to the sheet in a
pressed against one or both surfaces of a metal sheet to adhere the film to the sheet in a
non-crystalline form. The uncoated sheet of metal is heated to a temperature above the
melting point of the polyester film and the film is applied to the sheet under pressure to
form a laminate material. The laminate material is then heated to above the melting
point of the film to improve the bond of the plastic film to the metal and is quenched
rapidly to a temperature below the glass transition point of the polyester to form a
non-crystalline polyester. The quenching is done by passing the laminate through a
curtain of water.
European Patent Application 0,067,060 in the name of Taiyo Steel Ltd.
discloses a method of producing a coated metal plate by directly extruding a
thermoplastic resin onto the heated surface of the plate. According to that patent
application, molten resin is applied directly from the extrusion die to the metal plate
without forming the resin into an independent film. The thickness of the film can be
less than 50 microns and preferably down to 35 to 5 microns. The patent application
states that since the step of forming an independent film is omitted, the cost of
producing the coated metal is reduced. Suitable thermoplastic resins used for coating
of metal surfaces include polyolefins, acrylic resins, polyesters, polyamides,
polyvinylchlorides and many other resins as listed in the published patent application.
The resin can be coated either as a monolayer or multilayers of the same or different
resins. The patent application discloses applying the resin on only one side of the
metal strip.
An improved process is desired for applying a thin polymer coating on
both sides of a metal strip suitable for use in applications such as packaging. A
process is desired for producing tight adhesion or welding of the polymer to the strip
so that the polymer will not delaminate during subsequent foπr ng of the strip or use
of the products produced from the strip.
This invention provides a method for coating both sides of a metal strip
with thin thermoplastic polymer resin to form a coated strip suitable for use in
packaging and other applications.
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improved
method of adhering polyester resin on both sides of a metal strip.
The above and other objects and advantages of this invention will be
more fully understood and appreciated with reference to the following description and
the drawings attached hereto.
Figure 1 is a schematic, side elevational view of one embodiment of a
system of this invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic, side elevation l view of a portion of another
embodiment of this invention.
Figures 3 and 4 are schematic, side elevational views of further
embodiments of this invention.
Figure 5 is a partial cross section of the strip and extrusion dies of
Figure 4 greatly enlarged to show the application of the resin to the strip.
Figures 6 through 14 are schematic, side elevational views of further
embodiments of this invention.
The drawings appended hereto illustrate systems for coating both sides
of a strip of metal as it travels from a first coil to a second coil on which the metal is
wound after it has been coated. Referring in particular to Figure 1, a strip 10 of
aluminum alloy is unwound from coil 12, moves around tension rollers 14, travels
vertically upward over a roll 16 and then downward from roll 16 through the coating
apparatus. A back-up roll 18 may be used to maintain the metal strip 10 in a flat
condition as it moves over support roll 16.
As the strip 10 moves downwardly from roll 16, it is first heated by
heater 20 to a temperature close to or above the melting point of the polymer to be
applied thereto. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 , the heater is an induction
heater, but other heaters or preconditioners such as flame treatment, infrared, plasma
and/or corona discharge may also be employed either singularly or in combination.
Flame heaters can be used in tandem (one on each side) or on one side only to enhance
performance (improved bonding as well as heating). The coil 12 may also be used,
which is still hot from the prior processing, such as rolling or heat treatment, to
minimize or even eliminate the need for heating by heater 20. A typical temperature to
which the metal is heated, prior to applicaiton of the thermoplastic material, in the
range of about 121 °-260°C (250°-500°F) depending on a number of factors, primarily
the particular polymer that is to be applied to the strip.
Two separate extrusion coating systems 21 and 31 are provided for
applying thin webs of thermoplastic polymer such as polyester resin to the two
surfaces of the heated web. The systems 21, 31 are disposed just below the induction
heater 20. The extrusion coating systems 21 , 31 each include an extruder for
delivering a molten polymer extrudate through a sheet die 22, 32 having a narrow exit
slit to produce a thin web of extrudate 24, 34 which is passed through a three-roll
stack. Alternatively, one extruder may feed both extrusion dies via transfer pipes or
other manifolding.
The first rolls 26, 36 of the systems 21 , 31 are pinning and drawing rolls
which are maintained at a temperature which will promote sticking or clinging of the
polymer extrudate to the polished surface of the roll. A typical temperature for this
purpose is in the range of about 120° to 180°C (248°-356°F), depending on the resin
being used. The surface speed of the rolls 26, 36 is substantially faster than the speed
of the extrudate exiting the die 22, 32, thus drawing the polymer to a reduced
thickness. Typical speed ratios of drawing velocity to extrudate velocities range from
about 5: 1 to 40: 1. The resin from the extruder is typically approximately 0.127-0.635
mm (0.005-0.025 inch) thick and is drawn to a reduced thickness of approximately
0.0076-0.038 mm (0.0003-0.0015 inch) thick.
The second rolls 28, 38 are cooler than the first rolls and are designed to
polish and cool the extrudate by rolling contact between the rolls and the extrudate.
The second rolls 28, 38 also transfer the extrudate to the third rolls which are the
applicator rolls. The third rolls 30, 40 may be tension loaded using springs, hydraulics
pneumatics, or the like and preferably have resilient (such as high temperature rdsistant
elastomers) exterior surfaces, or roll shells, to press the semi-cooled extrudates against
the heated metal web or strip 10. The third rolls 30, 40 of the two extrusion sets
support opposite sides of the strip 10 against the pressure or force of each other so that
the semi-cooled extrudates 24, 34 can be pressed against the strip under the pressure of
such third rolls 30, 40.
The coated strip of metal 1 1 continues its vertical downward travel past
or through a second heater 42 which uniformly heats the metal or the plastic, or both
the metal and the plastic, especially at the interface therebetween to a temperature that
will consummate bonding of the polymer to the metal strip without substantially
reducing or otherwise deleteriously affecting the desired properties of the metal strip or
the plastic coating thereon. The desired temperature will depend on the particular
polymeric material which is being applied as a coating but is somewhere in the range
of approximately 200° to 260°C (392-500°F). The second heater 42 is preferably an
induction type heater, which is well known in the art. Alternatively, the heater 42
could be a convection oven or an infrared heater.
Upon exit from the second heater 42, and while continuing in a vertical
downwardly direction, the coated strip 1 1 is rapidly cooled as by a water spray 44, a
water curtain, or other suitable cooling means. Such cooling must lower the
temperature of the composite structure to a low enough temperature to allow turning
the coated strip around rollers without deleteriously affecting the coating or the metal.
In a preferred method of coating an aluminum alloy, such as alloy 3004, can sheet with
polyester resin, the composite structure is preferably cooled to below approximately
40°C (104°F) before it contacts roller 48. In such a preferred embodiment, cooling is
fast enough that the polyester coating on it is solidified in a substantially non-
crystalline form. The speed of cooling to accomplish this will depend on the polyester.
The rate of cooling can be controlled by controlling the temperature and volume rate of
flow of the cooling water against the coated strip.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 , the coated strip moves through
a bath 46, such as a water bath, and around rollers 48 and 50 on opposite ends of the
bath before the coating is dried. The water bath completes the cooling process.
From the water bath 46, the coated strip 11 preferably moves vertically
upwardly through a drying system 52 to remove residual moisture from the strip before
rewinding. The drying system 52 may typically comprise warm air blowers. The
composite strip next moves over rollers 54, 56 and 58 and onto a rewinder 60. The
system may include accumulators, not shown, to accommodate roll changes or coil
changes and may also include means for leveling the metal after it has been coated.
The system also preferably includes trimmers, not shown, for trimming the edges of
the coated metal web 1 1 or to remove any polymer that extends past the edges of the
metal. The trimmers may be located at various points along the path of the strip such
as immediately after the polymer resin is applied to the strip, after the spray cooler, or
after the drying system.
The aluminum strip that is coated by this invention may be of a variety
of alloys and tempers depending on the use which is to be made of the strip. Some
typical aluminum alloys suitable to be forming can ends and can bodies include
Aluminum Association alloys 5042, 5182 and 3004 in intermediate to hard temprs
including H-14, H-19 and H-39 tempers, among others. The metal strip is typically
0.1778-0.356 mm (0.007 to 0.014 inch) thick.
In accordance with this invention, a variety of thermoplastic polymers
such as a polyester can be used to coat an aluminum strip which is designed for use in
packaging such as cans or can ends. A preferred polyester resin is a high melt
viscosity (HMV) resin of the type that has heretofore been used to coat ovenable metal
trays, liquid foil packaging and heat sealable foil packaging. SELAR ® , PT8307 HMV
copolymer resin sold by E. I. Du Pont de Nemours Company is an example of a high
performance polyester resin suitable for use in this invention. Such copolymer can
also be blended with other thermoplastic polyesters such as bottle grade polyesters
having intrinsic viscosities ' όf about 0.72 IV and above. For example, a blend of
SELAR ® , PT8307 HMV copolymer with T89 PET sold by Hoescht-Celanese may
provide improved performance for aluminum strip coated in accordance with this
invention for use in making products such as ends for beverage cans. Other
thermoplastic polymers suitable for use in this application include polypropylene,
polyethylene, polyamides (nylon), polyimides, polycarbonates and polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), among others.
Figure 2 shows a portion of an alternative embodiment of a system for
practice of the present invention. In this system, the metal strip 70 is coated on both
sides as the strip preferably moves vertically upwardly instead of vertically
downwardly as in Figure 1. The metal strip 70 moves around an infeed roll 72 and
vertically upwardly from that roll through a pre-heater 74 such as an induction heating
system. The strip then moves through an optional flame treater 76 and between the
opposed extrusion systems 78, 80 for coating both sides of the strip. The flame treater
enhances the receptivity of the strip to bonding by the resin coating.
The extrusion coating systems 78, 80 in Figure 2 are similar to that of
Figure 1 except that the systems 78, 80 each include only two rolls rather than three
rolls as in Figure 1. The surface speed of the pinning and drawing rolls 82, 84 is
several times faster than the exit speed of the polymer from the extruder dies 90, 92 so
as to draw and thin the extrudate as in the system of Figure 1. Rolls 86, 88, which are
cooler than rolls 82, 84, receive the extrudate from rolls 82, 84 and apply it to the strip
70.
After the strip 70 has been coated on both sides, the strip continues to
move vertically upwardly into an insulated chamber 94 which contains a cooling and a
turning roll 96 for cooling the strip and redirecting it vertically downwardly. The
chamber 94 is preferably insulated for accurate temperature control of the strip as it
moves over the cooling and turning roll 96. The roll 96 preferably has an outside shell
diameter of at least approximately three feet. The roll's large diameter minimizes
stressing of the metal due to curvature effects. The temperature of roll 96 and strip 71
is controlled by fluid 91 in an annular chamber 93 between the roll's outer shell 97 and
an inner shell 95. The annular chamber 93 is preferably not filled to capacity so as to
minimize the inertia effects (provides viscous damping) and enable speed control and
tracking.
The composite coated strip 71 moves vertically downwardly from the
turning and cooling roll 96 through a post-heater 98 which heats the composite strip to
approximately 204-260°C (400-500°F) to enhance bonding of the polymer such as
polyester resin to the strip as in the embodiment of Figure 1. The heater 98 may be a
conventional induction heater, convection oven or infrared heater. The composite strip
71 moves from the heater 98, through cooling or quenching means not shown, to a
second cooling and turning roll 99 and from that roll to a rewind roll not shown. Roll
99 is similar in design and dimensions to roll 96 described above.
Figure 3 is a schematic of another embodiment of this invention in which
cleaned, room temperature, conditioned sheet stock 100 is unwound from an unwinder
102 and fed upwardly over a draw roll set 104 consisting of roll 103 and an optional
back-up roll 105 at the top of the processing stack. Accumulators, not shown, may be
included to accommodate coil changes on the unwinder 102.
From the draw roll set 104, the web 100 travels in a vertical and
downward direction, and is preferably slanted about 30-45 degrees from the vertical.
Such slant facilitates downstream extrusion coating and machinery arrangement. The
web 100 passes through a pre-heater 106, wherein an induction field is generated to
uniformly heat the metal to a temperature that will enhance downstream "green peel"
strength of the bonded polymer to the strip without substantially reducing or otherwise
deleteriously affecting the desired metal properties. As used herein, "green peel"
strength means that the polymer is adhered to the metal strip with sufficient holding
power that the polymer will not delaminate from the strip during subsequent
processing. The desired temperature should be in the range of approximately
204°-260°C (400-500°F), and preferably approximately 215°-246°C (425°-475°F)
when applying polyester.
The pre-heated web 100 continues in a downwardly slanted direction and
passes through an optional flame surface treater 108. The flame treater may reduce the
surface of the pre-heated metal to eliminate, minimize or enhance oxides, and thereby
enhance adhesion of a polymer which is subsequently applied to it.
The heated and treated web 100 next enters the first of two extrusion
coating stations. An extruder, not shown, melt-plasticizes a PET polymer or other
thermoplastic resin and delivers it through a sheet die 1 10 which is positioned either
vertically or obliquely from vertical and which has a narrow exit slit. The slit is set to
produce a back-pressure to the extruder that enables spreading of an extrudate 1 12 to a
width at least as wide as the width of strip 100. The slit may have a width less than
the width of the strip 100 depending on several factors such as the nature and thickness
of the polymer resin, the relative speeds of the extruder and metal strip and the shape
of the die, the shape of the extrudate film, among other factors. The extrudate 112 is
drawn into a roll stack 1 14 to reduce its thickness to the final thickness for application
to the web. The draw thickness ratio should be approximately 10-25: 1 , depending on
the extruded polymer.
The two-roll stack 1 14 is disposed such that a plane through the
centerline of the rolls is slanted approximately 30 degrees from horizontal. The
"inside" or turning roll 1 16 preferably has a resilient surface made of high temperature-
resistant elastomer and is internally and/or externally cooled to minimize deterioration
of the elastomer.
The outside or pressure roll 118 is chrome-plated steel, polished, and
preferably maintained at a temperature below about 150°F or 66°C (for polyester)
which is below the "stickiness" point of the molten polymer which applies line
pressure to the polymer as it is applied to the strip material. This enhances adhesion of
the polymer to the metal 100 as well as improves surface appearance. The surface
speed of the rolls 1 16, 1 18 is approximately 10 times faster than the extrudate's exit
speed from the extrusion die 1 10, thus drawing the polymer onto the web 100 to its
desired thickness in a range of approximately 0.00762 mm to 0.02032 mm (0.3-0.8
mils) and preferably about 0.01016 mm (0.4 mils). The two-roll stack 1 14 coats the
fust side of the web 100 with adequate "green peel" strength to avoid separation of the
polymer from the metal during the subsequent processing.
The single-side coated web 101 next exits the stack 114 and turns
approximately 60 degrees (as a result of the preferred positioning of the second
extrusion station) over the elastomer coated roll 1 16 to slant the web downward 70-45
degrees from vertical (approximately 60 degrees from the entry position into the first
stack). The pre-heated and single-side coated web 101 continues in a 30-45 degree
slanted and downward direction, may pass through an optional second (and possibly
larger) flame or other type of boost heater 120, wherein the surface of the pre-heated
metal is treated to eliminate/minimize oxides on the second surface and enhance
adhesion of the polymer, as well as to provide any needed temperature "boost" to
achieve optimum bonding conditions.
The pre-heated and pre- treated web 101 next enters the second of the
two extrusion coating stations to coat the opposite side of the web than was coated by
the first coating station. The extruder performance requirements, arrangement, and
process for the second extruder are identical to the first extruder. The melted extrudate
122 from extrusion die 124 is passed into the nip of a two-roll stack 126 having an
arrangement in which a plane through the centerlines of the rolls 128, 130 is inclined
approximately 30-45 degrees from the horizontal (45-60 degrees from the centerline
position of the first stack 1 14).
The geometries, arrangement, performance, and functions of the rolls
128, 130 are identical to that of the first stack 1 14. The second side of the pre-heated
web 101 is coated with extrudate 122 to produce adequate "green peel" strength, as
described above for the first side. The double-side coated web 103 next exits the stack
126 and is preferably turned approximately 45-90 degrees over the rubber coated roll
to achieve a preferred positioning for the induction bonding heater 132 at
approximately 30-45 degrees from vertical in a downward direction.
The now-coated web 103 continues in a slanted and downward direction
and passes through a second heater 132, preferably an induction heater, to uniformly
heat the metal/plastic interface to a temperature that will consummate a bond of the
plastic to the metal web without substantially reducing or otherwise deleteriously
affecting the desired metal properties or the plastic. The temperature is preferably
approximately 400-550°F (204-228°C) and preferably about 425-475°F (215-246°C)
for polyester.
Upon exit from the induction heater 132, and while continuing in a
slanted and downward direction, spray nozzles 134 (or other suitable devices) cool the
composite structure to a temperature low enough to allow turning around roller 136
without deleteriously affecting the composite material's ultimate end-use performance
requirements. The semi-cooled composite 103 is turned and passed through a
horizontal water bath 138 to complete the cooling process.
A drying system 140 is used after the composite 103 leaves the bath 138
to remove residual moisture before rewinding. Leveling is performed to remove
stresses produced by the turning or bending of the metal strip 100 over the rolls. The
completed material 103 is then rewound by rewinder 142. Accumulators, not shown,
can be used to accommodate roll changes and coil changes on the rewinder 142.
Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a further embodiment of this invention in which
the metal strip 150 is moved vertically upwardly during the coating process and in
which the extrusion dies 152, 154 apply the molten resin directly against the opposite
sides of the strip. The system of Figure 4 includes an unwinder 156 from which strip
150 travels upwardly through an induction pre-heater 158, and then between two
extrusion dies 152, 154. The dies 152, 154 are fed by conventional extruders, not
shown.
Figure 5 is a greatly enlarged showing of the dies 152, 154 as they apply
extrudate 160, 162 directly to the metal strip 150. The die orifices are positioned close
to the strip so that the force of the extrudate issuing from the dies is applied against the
strip. The dies are positioned within about 5 to 20 mm of the strip, and preferably less
than 10 mm from the strip. The metal strip 150 travels approximately 10-20 times
faster than does the extrudate issuing from the dies 152, 154 so the extrudate is drawn
and reduced in thickness by pull of the strip on the extrudate. The extrudate may be in
the range of 0.0127 to 0.0508 mm (0.0005-0.002 inch) thick on each surface of the
strip.
The dies 152, 154 are preferably directly opposed to each other on
opposite faces of the strip 150 so the pressure of the extrudate from opposite sides of
the strip will center the strip between the dies. The molten polymer impinges upon the
surface of the metal strip almost immediately after the extrudate exits the dies, so the
polymer does not cool or neck-in before it is applied to the strip. This helps to ensure
the application of uniform coatings of the resin on both faces of the strip.
From the extrusion dies 152, 154, the coated strip 151 preferably moves
through an induction type post-heater 164 which heats the composite strip to above the
melting point of the polyester resin to enhance bonding of the resin to the strip. The
composite strip is then quickly cooled by means not shown and travels over rolls 166
and 168 to a recoiler 170.
Figures 6 through 14 show alternative embodiments of this invention for
coating both faces of strip metal such as aluminum, steel, copper, metal laminates or
the like. These embodiments all include means for preheating the metal strip, first and
second extrusion coating apparatus including dies and application rolls, means for
post-heating the strip after it has been coated on both faces, and means for cooling the
strip. The systems may also optionally include means for reheating the strip between
the first and second coating apparatus. The systems all include an extruder or
extruders for feeding polymer extrudate to the dies. Each of the first and second
extrusion coating apparatus in the systems includes a casting roll which contacts the
web of polymer extrudate to press it against the metal strip and a back-up roll which
supports the strip metal and provides a roll nip for pressing the strip metal and web of
polymer together to adhere the polymer to the face of the strip. The systems may
optionally include a support roll for one or both back-up rolls to support the back-up
roll and help to cool it.
The preheater, reheaters and postheaters in these systems can be of a
variety of forms such as induction, flame, infrared, radiant, electric, fossil fuel
convection furnaces, heating rolls or any combination of such devices. The strip can
also be preheated in coil form or from prior processing of the strip to either supplement
or replace a preheat device. A preferred form of heater is a TFX induction heater that
is available from Davy McKee (Poole) Ltd. of Poole, England.
The dies in these systems are positioned within approximately 4-12
inches (10.2-30.5 cm), and more preferably about 6-8 inches or 15.2-20.3 cm
(depending on the die and roll sizes), of the die nip between each pair or rolls. The
extruded webs of polymer preferably contact the metal strip and the casting roll
substantially simultaneously at the roll nip or contact the metal strip just ahead of the
roll nip. Alternatively, the extruded webs can contact the casting roll a few degrees of
rotation before entering the roll nip. Such contact of the casting roll before the roll nip
should not be more than a few degrees of rotation of the roll, such as about 0-25°, to
minimize cooling of the polymer before the polymer contacts the metal strip at the roll
nip.
The extruded webs of polymer may be approximately 0.005 to 0.030
(0.127-0.254 mm)inches thick and are preferably drawn downwardly by the metal strip
and rolls to reduce the thicknesses of the webs. The draw ratio may be in a range of
about 1 : 1 to 200: 1 , and more preferably about 10: 1 to 40: 1. As used herein, draw ratio
means the ratio of the thickness of the web as extruded to the thickness of the web as
applied to the strip metal. The draw ratio is generally determined by the difference
between the rate of extrusion from the dies and the speed of the strip metal being
coated. For example, a draw ratio of 20: 1 generally means that the strip is moving
about 20 times faster than the speed of the web as it exits the die opening. Techniques
for drawing and thinning extruded webs of polymer are well known in the art.
For some systems, it may be desirable to provide supplemental means in
advance of the roll pairs to pin or apply the extruded webs against the face of the strip
metal. Supplemental pinning means can include air knives, electrostatic devices, and
vacuum pinning means, among others. The webs may be cast to be entirely on the
strip metal or may be cast wider than the metal and later trimmed to remove excess
coating.
For most applications, the casting roll is preferably a hard metal roll
having a chrome plating, chrome oxide, aluminum oxide or other hard metal roll
surface on it. Such roll surfaces may be polished or textured. The casting roll is
preferably cooled to below the stickiness or softening point of the polymer so the
polymer will not stick to the roll. The back-up roll for most applications preferably
has a resilient outer surface portion made of silicone rubber, polyurethane,
chlorotrifluorethylene polymers such as VITON ® or KEL-F ® , tetrafluoroethylene
fluorocarbon polymers such as TEFLON ® , or other high temperature resistant
synthetic rubber or elastomeric material, or combinations of such materials. VITON ® ,
KEL-F ® and TEFLON ® are trademarks of E.I. Du Pont de Nemours Company. The
outer surface of such elastomeric material preferably has a Durometer hardness of
approximately 75-85 shore A. For some applications, it may be desirable to have a
hard surface such as TEFLON ® , VITON ® or KEL-F ® elastomers over a more resilient
material such as natural or synthetic rubber to provide a hard wear surface and
appropriate compressibility. Both the casting roll and back-up roll should have
relatively smooth surfaces in a range of about 2-20 root-mean-square (rms). For some
applications, the casting roll may alternatively have a hard high temperature resistant
synthetic rubber surface as described for the backup roll.
The casting roll and back-up roll are pressed against the strip metal and
polymer web as the strip and web travel through the roll nip to thereby adhere the web
to the strip. Pressing the rolls toward one another presses the metal strip against the
resilient material on the back-up roll and helps to assure that the polymer web is
pressed against the metal strip across the full extent of the roll nip with no gaps in the
contact. The force across the roll nip may vary slightly due to misalignment of the
rolls or small variations in the strip thickness, and roll finishes among other things, but
must not have gaps of inadequate roll force. Pressing the rolls together compresses the
elastomeric material on the backup and/or casting rolls to produce a band of contact at
the roll nip along the length of the rolls which is believed to accommodate any errors
in alignments of the rolls of out-of-flatness of the metal strip and provide more
uniform distribution of the force of the polymer web(s) against the metal strip for
better coating uniformity and bonding. Apparatus for providing the force for pressing
the rolls against one another and regulating or adjusting the force are well known in
the art and include pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders, jacks and screws which act on
the rolls.
The polymer coatings applied by this invention may be any of a variety
of resins as described above with respect to Figure 1. The resins are preferably
essentially 100% polymer with little or no solvents in them that can volatilize. The
same or different resins may be applied on the opposite sides of the strip, and one or
both coatings may contain a pigment or other additive. The strip metal is preferably an
intermediate to hard temper aluminum alloy having a thickness of about 0.007 to 0.014
inch (0.1778-0.3556 mm) as described about with respect to Figure 1 , but can also be
other metals such as steel or copper or laminates. The strip is preferably pre-cleaned
and may be pre-treated as by anodizing or conversion coating (preferably non-chrome)
or surface roughening to improve performance and improve adherence of polymer
coatings to the strip. For example, aluminum strip can be cleaned and treated with
titanium or zirconium phosphate treatments, silicate treatment or BETZ METCHEM ®
conversion coatings. BETZ METCHEM ® is a registered trademark of Betz
Laboratories, Inc., of Horsham, Pennsylvania. The strip may also be precoated on one
or both sides with organic coatings or finishes to enhance bonding of the polymer to
the strip.
In the operation of these systems, the metal strip is moved through the
system at speeds in a range of about 300-1500 feet per minute (fpm) or about 90-450
meters per minute (mpm) and preferably about 600-1200 fpm (180-360 mpm). Higher
speeds obviously increase productivity and also reduce the time period (residence
time) during which the metal is at elevated temperatures. Shorter residence times are
sometimes preferred to minimize reduction in metal properties.
Referring now to Figure 6, the coating system is illustrated as including a
roll 172 over which metal strip 174 travels to be fed into and through a preheat device
173 such as an induction heater which heats the strip to a temperature in a range of
about 250-550°F (121-288°C) depending on the metal and temper of the strip, the
desired properties of the strip after coating, and the polymers to be applied, among
other factors. For aluminum strip to be coated by polyester resin for use of the coated
strip in packaging applications, a more preferred preheating range is approximately
400 to 550°F (204-288°C). The preheat temperature, as well as the reheat and
postheat temperatures, must not be so high as to deleteriously affect the desired
properties of the strip metal or the polymer coatings on the strip.
The preheated strip 174 is coated sequentially on opposite faces by two
extrusion dies 176, 178 and two pairs of rolls 180, 182 and 184, 186. One or two
extruders, not shown, feed molten polymer resin to the extrusion dies 176, 178. The
resin can have a temperature in a range of about 350 to 650°F (177-343°C) as fed to
the dies 176, 178, and the dies are preferably heated as by electrical resistance means
to maintain the resin at the desired temperature. The extrusion dies 176, 178 have
elongated, narrow die openings therein approximately corresponding in length to the
width of the strip 174 which is being coated, which may be about 10-85 inches (25.4-
215.9 cm) or more. The length of the die opening is preferably at least as wide or
wider than the width of the strip 174 so the web of polymer extruded from each die
will fully cover the strip. The die openings are long and narrow in order to extrude
thin webs. The die openings may be up to 0.030 inch (0.762 mm), and preferably are
in a range of approximately 0.005 to 0.015 inches (0.127-0.381 mm). The dies are
generally conventional dies and are available from a variety of vendors. The dies 176
and 178 exude thin webs 188 and 190 which are applied against opposite sides of the
strip 174 by the roll pairs 180, 182 and 184, 186.
In the first roll pair, roll 182 is the casting roll which contacts the web
188 of polymer issuing from die 176, and roll 180 is a back-up roll which supports the
strip 174 against the casting roll. As stated above, the casting roll 182 is preferably a
hard metal roll, and the back-up roll 180 preferably has a resilient outer roll surface or
shell such as a silicone rubber outer layer on it. Both the rolls 180, 182 are preferably
cooled by coolant such as water which is circulated through them. The casting roll is
cooled to less than about 150°F (66°C) so the web of polymer will not stick to it. The
back-up roll 180 is preferably internally and/or externally cooled to minimize heat
damage to the resilient layer on the roll. A support roll 181 may be optionally
provided to support the back-up roll 180 and help cool it.
As shown, the rolls 180, 182 may be positioned parallel with their axes
side-by-side in a substantially horizontal plane so the strip metal 174 and polymer web
188 can be fed downwardly into the nip between the rolls and out through the bottom
of the roll nip. The strip 174 may follow the outer surface of the back-up roll around
approximately a 0 to 120° arc of the roll before the strip leaves the roll surface to
travel to the reheater 192. The polymer web 188 on the strip metal 174 preferably has
minimal contact with the casting roll 182 in order to minimize possible sticking or
adverse effects on the web by the roll. This minimization of contact is especially
applicable for polyester resins, whereas more contact and greater cooling of the resin
by the casting roll is desirable for polypropylene resins (See Figure 14). The rolls 180,
182 are pressed together with a force of about 50-300 pounds per linear inch (pli) or
about 9.0-53,7 kg per cm, preferably about 120-180 pli (21.5-32.2 kg per cm), and
more preferably about 150 pli (26.9 kg/cm) along the length of the roll nip. This force
causes the resilient compressible outer portion of the back-up roll 180 to be deformed
or impressed slightly to insure that there are no gaps in the force of the rolls against the
metal strip across the full length of the roll nip and provides a measure of forgiving or
accommodation to misalignment of the rolls or out-of-flatness of the sheet material.
But this force does not reduce the gauge of the polymer or the materials. As stated
above, this compression of the compressible layer on the backup roll 180 produces a
narrow band of contact between the rolls 180, 182 and the strip 174 at the roll nip.
Depending on the amount of force pressing the rolls together and the resiliency of the
support roll 180, among other factors, a typical band of contact may be about 1/4 to 1
inch (0.64-2.54 cm) wide and typically about 3/4 inch (1.9 cm) wide.
After the strip 174 has been coated on one face, it may optionally be
reheated as, for example, with an induction heater 192 or the like. The strip may be
reheated to a temperature in the range of about 250 to 550°F (120-288°C), depending
on the polymer being applied, and more preferably to about 400 to 550°F (204-288°C)
for polyester coatings. For some applications and some polymers, it may not be
necessary to reheat the strip 174 before it is coated on its opposite face.
From the reheater 192, the strip 174 travels to the second extrusion die
178 and roll pair 184, 186 and optional cooling roll 187 for a second polymer web
190 to be applied to the opposite side of the strip from that coated by the first web 188.
The distance from the exit of the first nip to the second nip is preferably kept short to
control the heat loss from the metal as it travels between the two roll nips. The second
die 178 and second roll pair 184, 186 are similar to the first die 176 and roll pair 180,
182 except that the rolls are reversed, the second casting roll is on the opposite side of
the strip from the first casting roll, the axes of the rolls are in a different plane, and the
second die 178 is in a different orientation. In order for the strip 174 to pass in a
substantially straight line through the second die nip, the plane through the axes of the
rolls 184, 186 is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the strip moving through
the die nip and at an angle to vertical. The strip 174 therefore has minimal contact
with rolls 184, 186 except for the narrow band of contact produced by the resilient
deformation of the resilient material of the outer portion on the back-up roll 186. As
stated above, this minimization of contact of the rolls 184, 186 against the polymer on
the strip 174 is believed to be helpful in enhancing the quality and performance of the
final coated product for some polyester resins. For other polymers such as
polypropylene, a substantial roll wrap and cooling of the polymer is preferred before
the coated strip departs from the roll.
As with the first set of rolls, the second set of rolls 184, 186 must be
pressed against the metal strip 174 and the polymer web with sufficient force to ensure
that the polymer web 190 is pressed tightly against the strip across the full width of the
roll nip. The force between the second set of rolls 184, 186 should be in a range of
approximately 50-300 pli (9.0-53.7 kg/cm), and preferably about 120-180 (21.5-32.2
kg/cm).
After the strip 174 has been coated on both sides or faces with the
polymer webs 188, 190, the fully coated strip travels through a post-heater 194 and
through a system for cooling the coated strip. Although not essential to the invention,
it is believed to be desirable to minimize contact of the coated strip by rolls or other
mechanical devices between the coating rolls 184, 186 and when the polymer has been
solidified by cooling. For example, it is desirable for the strip 174 to travel in a
substantially straight line from rolls 184, 186 through a post-heater 194 and through
means, not shown, for at least partially cooling the strip to at least below the melting
point of the polymer coatings on the strip. In this way, contact with the polymer on
the strip with rolls or the like is avoided before the polymer is solidified, and the
coatings are not as likely to be adversely affected by rolls or the like.
The post-heater 194 is preferably an induction heater, infrared heater,
convection oven or a combination of two or all three that can quickly heat the resin on
the sheet to at least about the softening temperature and preferably above the melting
point of the polymers. It is important that such heating not be so high as to
significantly deleteriously affect the properties of the metal in the strip or the polymer
coatings on the strip. Heating the polymers to at least approximately their melting
points may be desirable to cause the polymers to flow and thereby heal any blemishes
and/or smooth any unevenness of the coatings on the strip.
After the strip has been post-heated, it is cooled quickly to solidify the
coating in a substantially non-crystalline form. It may be desirable to first partially
cool the strip with air or other gas to below the melting point of the polymer and then
to quench the partially cooled strip with water sprays or a water bath. Partially cooling
the strip with air is believed to minimize possible adverse effects that water might have
on polymer that is still melted or molten. As used herein, "quickly cooling" means that
the polymer coatings are cooled promptly after the coated strip exits the postheater as
the strip is traveling at about 300- 1500 fpm, and preferably about 600- 1200 fpm. The
cooling or quench unit is positioned within a few feet, such as about 5-50 feet, of the
postheater so the polymer coatings are preferably solidified less than about 10 seconds
and more preferably less than about one second after the coated strip exits the
postheater.
After the strip has been cooled, it can be further processed as by
trimming the edges, slitting, leveling, winding on a coil or made into products such as
can ends or can bodies with or without being rewound.
Figure 7 shows an alternative system similar to the system shown in
Figure 6 except that the upper pair of rolls 202, 204 is positioned with the axes of the
rolls disposed in a plane which is perpendicular to the strip 196 passing through the
roll nip. Cooling rolls, not shown, may be added to help cool rolls 202, 208 and 212.
In this system, there is minimal contact of the strip against the back-up roll so there is
less heat transfer from the strip to the back-up roll and less heat damage to the resilient
outer portion of the back-up roll 202. This also means less cooling of the strip metal,
which may obviate any need to boost or reheat the strip before it is coated on the
inverse side. If reheating is desired, the one-sided coated strip has its direction turned
by roll 208 and is passed through a boost heater 210. The strip then has its inverse
side coated by die 216 and rolls 212, 214. The fully coated strip is then post heated
and cooled/quenched in a manner similar to that described above with reference to
Figure 6.
Figure 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of this invention which is
similar to that of Figure 6 except that the rolls 218, 220 in the lower coating station are
disposed horizontally side by side with their axes in a substantially horizontal plane
and with the strip 222 following the back-up roll 210 for about 90° of rotation,
whereafter the strip travels to postheat and cooling devices, not shown. Figure 8 also
shows, by dotted lines, several alternative paths for the strip 222 to travel after exiting
the roll nip in the lower casting station.
Figure 9 illustrates another embodiment of this invention with a
substantially vertical direction of travel of the strip metal 230 through the preheater
231, a first roll set 232, a boost heater 234 and a second roll set 236. From the second
roll set, the doubly coated strip travels through a post-heater, not shown, and a cooling
system, not shown. If space permits, the post-heater is preferably located vertically in
line below the two coating rolls, and the strip is preferably cooled to below the melting
point of the polymer before being contacted by a turning roll. Such cooling to below
the melting point of the polymer can be by air cooling whereafter the strip can be
turned to pass through a fluid quench such as a water quench.
Figure 10 shows another embodiment of this invention in which metal
strip 240 traverses substantially horizontally between two extrusion dies 242, 244 and
roll pairs. In this system, the strip 240 is turned around a back-up roll 246 which
forms a roll nip with a casting roll 248. The extrusion die 242 extrudes a thin polymer
web 250 above the roll nip to be drawn and reduced in thickness before it is pressed
against, and adhered to, the strip. Both the casting roll 248 and the back-up roll 246
are cooled as in the previously described systems.
From the back-up roll 246, the strip 240 moves horizontally through an
optional boost heater 252 and then around another back-up roll 254 which forms a roll
nip with casting roll 256. The extrusion die 244 extrudes a second web 258 of
polymer which is drawn to reduce its thickness and is pressed against the strip 240 at
the nip between the rolls 254, 256. Both rolls 254, 256 are preferably cooled as in the
first roll pair. The doubly coated strip then travels through a post-heater 260 and then
a cooler/quench system 262 to produce the final product which can be rewound into a
coil 264 or be further processed.
Figure 11 shows another embodiment for coating metal strip 264 in
which the strip travels over a turn roll 265 and through a preheater 266, and in which
polymer web 268, 270 are applied substantially simultaneously on opposite sides of
the strip. The extrusion dies 272, 274 in this system extrude the polymer webs 268,
270 which are drawn by casting rolls 276, 278 into the roll nip and pressed against
opposite sides of the metal strip. At least one, if not both, of the casting rolls 276, 278
preferably has a compressible outer layer such as TEFLON ® , VITON ® , KEL-F ® ,
elastomer in order to insure continuous bonding force across the entire length of the
roll nip. The system preferably includes cooling rolls 280, 282 to help cool the casing
rolls 276, 278 and prolong the life of the casting rolls. The system further includes a
postheater 284 and quench means such as water sprays 286 similar to those shown in
the prior figures.
A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 12 in which
strip material such as an aluminum strip 290 travels over a turn roll 292, through a
preheater 294, and between an upper casting roll 300 and upper backup roll 302 to be
coated on a first side by a polymer web 298 which is extruded from an upper die 296.
The cast roll is preferably a polished steel roll, and the backup roll preferably has a
compressible outer layer on it. An upper cooling roll 303 is preferably included to
extend the life of the compressible material on the backup roll 302. From the roll nip
between rolls 300, 302, the one-side coated strip preferably travels through a heater
304 to reheat or boost the temperature of the strip for coating of the inverse side by a
second polymer web 312 which is extruded by lower extrusion die 310. A lower
casting roll 308 and backup roll 306 press the web 312 against the strip to adhere it to
the strip. Lower casting roll 308 is preferably polished steel, and the lower backup roll
306 has a compressible outer surface such as TEFLON ® , VITON ® or KEL-F ® ,
elastomer. A lower cooling roll 314 may optionally be included as with the upper roll
set. After application of the second polymer web, the two-side coated strip is
preferably postheated to above the melting point(s) of the polymer(s) by a heater 316
and then quickly cooled as with water sprays 318.
A still further embodiment of this invention is shown in Figure 13 in
which metal strip material 320 is sequentially coated on opposite sides as the strip
travels in a generally "S" path through the system. In this system, the metal strip 320
travels over a turn roll 322, through a preheater 324 and between a casting roll 330 and
backup roll 332 for a first polymer web 326 from die 328 to be adhered to one side of
the strip. A cooling roll 348 is preferably included to extend the life of compressible
material on the backup roll. In this system, the location of the casting roll 330 and
backup roll 332 is such that the strip metal 320 wraps part way around the rolls for
about 45-90° of rotation of the rolls depending on the direction of travel of the strip
with respect to a plane through the axes of the two rolls.
After receiving the first coating, the metal strip 320 is preferably turned
in direction by a turn roll 336 and travels through a heater 338 to boost the temperature
of the strip, followed by application of a coating to the opposite surface of the strip by
casting roll 344, backup roll 346, cooling roll 348 and extrusion die 340 which
extrudes polymer web 342 into the roll nip. The location of the rolls 344, 346 with
respect to the direction of travel of the strip 320 is similar to the upper coating station
so the strip also wraps part of the way around the rolls as the strip moves through the
lower coating station. From the lower coating station, the strip 320 with coating on
both sides is preferably postheated to above the melting point of the polymer or
polymers and then quickly cooled to solidify the polymers on the strip.
Figure 14 shows a further embodiment of the invention which is
particularly suited for applying polypropylene coatings on both sides of an aluminum
strip material. In this system, strip metal 352 travels over a turn roll 354, downwardly
at about 30-60° to vertical through a preheater 356 and into the roll nip between a
backup roll 358 and a cast/chill roll 360 for a polymer web 364 from die 362 to be
applied to the strip. In this system, the strip metal 352 wraps part way around the
cast/chill roll 360 for the roll to cool the polymer on the strip to insure that the
polymer, and especially a polypropylene material, will peel off the roll and remain on
the metal strip. A take-off roll 370 may be employed to cause the strip 352 to follow
the cast/chill roll 360 as shown. The cast/chill roll preferably internally cooled and has
a relatively large diameter such as about 3-6 feet (0.91 -1.83 meters) in diameter to
sufficiently cool the strip and polymer on it. The backup roll preferably has a
compressible outer layer on it and is preferably internally and/or externally cooled.
From the upper coating station, the strip 352 travels over a turn roll 372,
through a heater 374 to have a second coating applied on it by a lower coating station
which is essentially the same as the upper coating station. The lower coating station
includes an extrusion die 382, a backup roll 376, a cast/chill roll 378, and a take-off
roll 384 for applying a polymer web such as a polypropylene to the metal strip. The
doubly coated strip from the take-off roll 384 is then preferably postheated and quickly
cooled as with the other systems described herein.
For some applications or this invention, the coatings may be different
polymers on opposite sides of the metal strip and may have different thicknesses. For
example, the coating on one surface may be a blend of a high melt viscosity polyester
and a bottle grade polyester and the coating on the other surface can be a polyethylene
or vinyl resin. The coating on one or both surfaces may also include a pigment or
coloring material in it.
Coating strip metal in accordance with this invention for use in
packaging applications such as use in making can bodies or can ends requires the
coatings to be tightly adhered to the metal strip. Use of the strip for packing
applications also requires that the surfaces of the coatings be smooth and glossy. The
surfaces should have a minimum of irregularities in them such as embossing or surface
blemishes. The mechanical properties of the metal, such as tensile strength, yield
strength, elongation, formability, and corrosion resistance are also desirably
maximized. The coatings must also be flexible so they won't crack or delaminate
when the strip is processed into the final product such as a can body, can end or other
products. The coatings for packaging applications are also quite thin such as about
half a mil in thickness and should be substantially uniform in thickness.
In the practice of this invention, the path of the metal strip through the
roll pairs, the post-heat apparatus and cooling/quench system plays an important role
in the quality of the coated strip. In particular, it is desirable to minimize contact of
the coatings on the strip with the rolls before the coatings are cooled to at least below
the melting point, and possibly the softening point of the polymers in the coatings. For
some systems, it is desirable to air cool the coated strip, after the post-heat, down to
below the melting point of the polymers before the water quench. This air cooling
minimizes possible adverse effects on the molten coating by water in the quench.
Aluminum strip which has been coated in accordance with this invention
has many advantages over strip that has been coated or laminated in accordance with
prior art methods. One important advantage is that the coating is tightly adhered or
bonded to both sides of the metal substrate and does not peel or delaminate when the
strip is formed into products such as drawn or drawn and ironed can bodies, can ends,
or decorative trim for automobiles or appliances. The strip can also be produced at
less cost than prior art strip because this invention eliminates secondary processes of
forming, rolling and unrolling of films that are laminated to the strip by prior art
techniques.
It is therefore seen that this invention provides an improved continuous
process for coating both sides of a metal strip with thermoplastic coatings and to an
improved strip which has been so formed. While some alternative modes for
practicing the invention have been described, it will be apparent that the appended
claims are intended to cover all modes and embodiments which fall within the spirit of
the invention. For example, the coating or coatings on the metal strip can be polished
while the coating is near or above its melting point by means of a polished kiss roll
over which the coated strip is passed after postheating and before the coatings are
cooled. Other alternative processing will be apparent in view of the description
contained herein.
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