Reinforced polymer matrix and product containing micro and macro reinforcement
AssigneeThe Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
InventorsMarc Borowczak, Donald J. Burlett, Richard G. Bauer, Joseph W. Miller, Jr.
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Abstract
A method of mixing micro and macro fibers into a polymer matrix and products made thereby are provided. In the illustrated method, a micro reinforcing polymer is mixed with an elastomeric base polymer and preformed macro fibers are added thereto. In one embodiment, the micro reinforcing polymer forms micro fibers in a resulting elastomeric matrix which is interspersed with macro fibers. A base polymer matrix interspersed with micro reinforcing polymer and macro fibers made according to the invention can be used in reinforced elastomeric products such as tires.
Claims17
A method for preparing reinforced polymers having engineered physical properties comprising the steps of
- (a) mixing a base polymer with 1-50% by weight micro reinforcing polymer based on the total weight of the base polymer and micro reinforcing polymer wherein said micro reinforcing polymer forms domains in situ having a length of 0.1 um to 10 um and an aspect ratio of 1-5, and mixing 1-40 phr macro short fibers having a length of 0.05 mm to 10 mm and an aspect ratio of 50-100 therewith to provide a reinforced polymer blend, and
- (b) selecting the specific amount of micro reinforcing polymer and the specific loading of macro short fibers used with reference to the properties desired in a resulting polymer matrix.
A polymer blend comprising
- (a) 50 to 99% by weight base polymer;
- (b) 1 to 50% by weight micro reinforcing polymer in domains having a length of 0.1 um to 10 um and an aspect ratio of 1-5;
- and
- (c) 1 to 40 phr macro short fibers having a length of 0.05 mm to 10 mm and an aspect ratio of 50-100.
A method for preparing reinforced polymers having engineered physical properties comprising the steps of
- (a) mixing a base polymer with 1-50% by weight micro reinforcing polymer based on the total weight of the base polymer and micro reinforcing polymer wherein said micro reinforcing polymer forms domains in situ having a length of 0.1 um to 10 um and an aspect ratio of 1-5, and mixing 1-40 phr polyaromaticamide macro short fibers having a length of 0.05 mm to 10 mm and an aspect ratio of 50-100 therewith to provide a reinforced polymer blend, and
- (b) selecting the specific amount of micro reinforcing polymer and the specific loading of macro short fibers used with reference to the properties desired in a resulting polymer matrix.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.