Payment card system and method
Embodiments of the invention relate to payment cards and methods for making payment cards. In one embodiment, a card comprises a first layer and a second layer adjacent to the first layer. The second layer comprises a plurality of particles comprising metal, and the plurality of particles comprise at least about 15 volume % of the second layer. In another embodiment, a mixture is prepared comprising polymer and a plurality of particles comprising metal. The plurality of particles comprise at least about 15 volume % of the mixture. The mixture is pressed and an outer layer is applied. The mixture and outer layer are then cut to form the card.
1. A card comprising:
a layer comprising a composite, wherein the composite comprises a polymer and a metal, and wherein the metal comprises about 15 to 50 volume % of the composite, thereby resulting in the composite being less susceptible to electrostatic buildup; and
one or more of a magnetic stripe or a contactless element on the layer, the magnetic stripe or the contactless element storing bank account, or credit or debit card information,
wherein the card is a payment card and has an appearance and feel of metal.
2. The card of claim 1 , wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of W, Cu, Ni, Fe, Au, Ag, Al, Pt, steel, and bronze.
3. The card of claim 2 , wherein the metal is W.
4. The card of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl chloride acetate, polyethylene teraphthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, and polypropylene.
5. The card of claim 4 , wherein the polymer is polyvinyl chloride.
6. The card of claim 1 , wherein the layer is a second layer and the card further comprises a first layer comprising a polymer on the first layer.
7. The card of claim 6 , wherein the card is a credit or debit card.
8. The card of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic stripe and the contactless element stores bank account information.
9. The card of claim 1 , wherein the card comprises the contactless element, and wherein the contactless element comprises one or more of a computer readable medium, processor, or an antenna.
10. The card of claim 1 , wherein the card is characterized by:
a length of about 86 mm;
a width of about 54 mm; and
a thickness of about 0.7 to 0.9 mm.
11. A method for making a card, the method comprising:
preparing a mixture comprising a polymer and a metal;
pressing the mixture to form a composite layer comprising the polymer and the metal, wherein the metal comprises about 15 to 50 volume % of the composite layer, thereby resulting in the composite layer being less susceptible to electrostatic buildup;
adding one or more of a magnetic stripe or a contactless element to the composite, the magnetic stripe or the contactless element storing bank account, or credit or debit card information; and
cutting the composite layer to form the card,
wherein the card is a payment card and has an appearance and feel of metal.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the mixture further comprises at least one of a plasticizer and a thermal stabilizer.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the mixture is prepared at a process temperature of about 120 to 200° C.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the mixture is pressed at a pressure of about 5 to 20 tons per square foot.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of W, Cu, Ni, Fe, Au, Ag, Al, Pt, steel, and bronze.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the metal is W.
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl chloride acetate, polyethylene teraphthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, and polypropylene.
18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the polymer is polyvinyl chloride.
19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the method further comprises forming an outer layer on the composite layer.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein cutting is performed before adding.