Thermoplastic-rubber polymer alloys and method of producing the same

Abstract

A thermoplastic-rubber polymer alloy contains a tough, wear resistant low friction thermoplastic such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, a cured rubber compound such as nitrile rubber, and a lubricant such as graphite in effective amounts to produce a composition which has good wet and dry friction and wear properties. The ultra high molecular weight polyethylene is typically utilized in a sufficient amount so as to form a continuous phase with the thermoset rubber being present as particles dispersed throughout the polyethylene as a discontinuous phase. The polymer alloy is made by dry blending the thermoplastic compound with ground thermoset rubber whereby the rubber is coated, heating and mixing the composition to above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic compound and subsequently cooling under pressure. The alloy can be easily transfer molded because of the lubricating action of the heated, softened plastic. The alloy is ideally suited for use as a hard bearing material due to its low coefficient of friction and low wear rate.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.