Dynamic vulcanization of non-nitrile rubbers in fluoroplastic polymers
AssigneeFreudenberg-NOK General Partnership
InventorEdward Park
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Processable rubber compositions contain a cured elastomer dispersed in a matrix comprising a thermoplastic material. The cured elastomer is present at a level of greater than or equal to 35% by weight based on the total weight of cured elastomer and thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material comprises a fluorine containing thermoplastic polymer, and the cured elastomer comprises a non-nitrile rubber selected from the group consisting of acrylic rubber, EPDM rubber, butyl rubber, silicone rubber, butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, and natural rubber. Methods for preparing the compositions involve dynamic vulcanization of the elastomer and thermoplastic components.
Claims66
A processable rubber composition comprising a cured elastomer dispersed in a matrix comprising a thermoplastic material,
- wherein the cured elastomer is present at a level of greater than or equal to about 35% by weight based on the total weight of cured elastomer and thermoplastic material,
- wherein the thermoplastic material comprises a fluorine containing thermoplastic polymer, and
- the cured elastomer comprises a non-nitrile rubber selected from the group consisting of acrylic rubber, EPDM rubber, butyl rubber, silicone rubber, butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, and natural rubber.
A method for making a rubber composition comprising:
- forming a mixture by combining an uncured or partially cured elastomeric material, a thermoplastic material and a curative for the elastomeric material, and
- heating the mixture at a temperature and for a time sufficient to effect vulcanization of the elastomeric material, wherein mechanical energy is applied to mix the mixture during the heating step;
- wherein the thermoplastic material comprises a fluorine-containing polymeric material, and
- the elastomeric material comprises a non-nitrile rubber selected from the group consisting of acrylic, EPDM, butyl, silicone, butadiene, isoprene, and natural rubber.
A shaped article comprising a cured elastomer dispersed in a matrix comprising a thermoplastic material, wherein the thermoplastic material comprises a fluorine-containing thermoplastic polymer, and wherein the cured elastomer comprises a non-nitrile rubber selected from the group consisting of acrylic, EPDM, butyl, silicone, butadiene, isoprene, and natural rubber.
A continuous process for making a processable rubber composition comprising:
- combining an elastomer, curative agent, and a thermoplastic material comprising a fluorine containing thermoplastic polymer in a twin screw extruder,
- mixing the combination in the twin screw extruder for a time and at a temperature sufficient to effect cure of the fluorocarbon elastomer, and
- extruding the cured mixture,
- wherein the thermoplastic material comprises greater than or equal to about 59% fluorine and the elastomer comprises non-nitrile rubber selected from the group consisting of acrylic, EPDM, butyl, silicone, butadiene, isoprene, and natural rubber.
A method for reducing costs of a manufacturing process for making shaped rubber articles from a processable rubber composition, comprising
- recycling scrap material generated during the manufacturing process to make new shaped articles comprising the processable rubber composition,
- wherein the processable rubber composition is the product of dynamic vulcanization of an elastomer in the presence of a thermoplastic material, wherein the thermoplastic material comprises a fluorine containing thermoplastic polymer, and the elastomer is a non-nitrile rubber selected from the group consisting of acrylic, EPDM, butyl, silicone, butadiene, isoprene, and natural rubber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.