UV PATCH
A UV patch for repairing inanimate objects. The UV patch includes a fibrous material. The UV patch also includes a UV activated hardening material. The UV activated hardening material is impregnated within the fibrous material and hardens when exposed to UV radiation.
1 . A method for repairing inanimate objects with a UV patch comprising the steps of:
providing a UV patch comprising
a fibrous material impregnated with a UV-activated hardening material, wherein
the UV-activated hardening material comprises:
5-15% epoxy acrylate by weight;
10-25% trimethylolpropane triacrylate by weight;
2-13.3% fumed silica by weight; and
a photoinitiator, wherein the photoinitiator includes a chemical compound that decomposes into free radicals when exposed to electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength from 400 nm to 10 nm;
applying the UV patch to an inanimate object in need of repair; and
exposing the applied UV patch to UV light to begin a chemical process through the decomposition of the free radicals in the photoinitiator to initiate hardening of the UV-activated hardening material.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fibrous material is approximately 40% of the UV patch by weight.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the UV activated hardening material is approximately 60% of the UV patch by weight.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fibrous material includes a felt.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fibrous material includes a chop strand fabric.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fibrous material includes fiberglass.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fibrous material includes at least one of:
carbon fibers;
aramid fibers;
para-aramid fibers;
para-aramid fibers that have a [—CO—C6H4-CO—NH—C6H4-NH—] molecular group;
basalt fibers;
polyester;
nylon; or
natural fibers.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the UV-activated hardening material includes an additive disposed in the UV-activated hardening material.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the additive includes at least one of:
plastic;
rubber;
sand;
wood particles; or
sawdust.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the UV-activated hardening material includes a resin.
11 . A method for repairing inanimate objects with a UV patch comprising the steps of:
providing a UV patch comprising
a chopped strand mat impregnated with a UV-activated resin in an inactivated state, wherein the UV-activated resin comprises:
epoxy acrylate;
trimethylolpropane triacrylate; and
fumed silica;
a photoinitiator, wherein the photoinitiator includes a chemical compound that decomposes into free radicals when exposed to electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength from 400 nm to 10 nm; and
a UV-blocking backing material comprising paper and disposed proximate and releasably attached to the chopped strand mat;
applying the UV patch to an inanimate object in need of repair; and
exposing the applied UV patch to UV light to begin a chemical process through the decomposition of the free radicals in the photoinitiator to initiate hardening of the UV-activated resin.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the UV activated resin includes 35-65% urethane acrylate by weight.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the epoxy acrylate comprises 5-15% of the UV activated resin by weight.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the trimethylolpropane triacrylate comprises 10-25% of the UV activated resin by weight.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the fumed silica comprises 2-13.3% of the UV activated resin by weight.
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the photoinitiator comprises 2-10% of the UV activated resin by weight.