Rotary process for forming uniform material

Abstract

A thin, uniform membrane comprising polymeric fibrils or a combination of fibrils and particles, wherein the fibrils have randomly convoluted cross-sections, and a process for making the membrane are disclosed. The membrane may be on the surface of a substrate as part of a composite sheet, or as a stand-alone structure.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A process comprising the steps of:
 (a) supplying two separate fluidized mixtures comprising different polymer components at pressures greater than atmospheric pressure to a rotor spinning about an axis at a rotational speed, the rotor having at least two separate material-issuing nozzles, each nozzle comprising an opening therein along the periphery of the rotor;   (b) issuing the two separate fluidized mixtures from the openings of the separate nozzles into an environment at atmospheric pressure to form a separate issued material at a material issuance speed from each nozzle;   (c) vaporizing or expanding at least one component of each separate issued material to form a fluid jet;   (d) transporting the remaining component(s) of each separate issued material away from the rotor by the fluid; and   (e) collecting the remaining component(s) of each separate issued material on a collection surface of a collection belt concentric to the axis of the rotor to form a collected material, the collection belt moving in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor at a collection belt speed.