Silica-filled elastomeric compounds

Abstract

The present invention provides a process for preparing a filled halobutyl elastomer, which comprises mixing a halobutyl elastomer, mineral filler and a silazane compound or mixture of a silazane compound and an additive which contains at least one hydroxyl group and at least one substituents which bears a basic amine group, and curing the filled elastomer with sulfur or other curative systems. The present invention has the advantages of (a) not evolving alcohol either during the manufacture or subsequent use of the article manufactured from the compound, (b) improving the scorch safety of filled halobutyl elastomer compounds which employ silica as the mineral filler and a the additive containing at least one hydroxyl group and a functional group containing a basic amine as a dispersing aid and (c) significantly reducing the cost of the compound compared to analogous compounds currently known in the art.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.