Surface epoxidation of elastomers
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsCharles M. Roland, Irina Zemel, Chester F. Poranski, Jr.
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Abstract
Surface epoxidized elastomeric articles containing unsaturation are obtai by immersing the articles in an epoxidizing solution for a time sufficient to epoxidize at least some surface unsaturation in the articles.
Claims11
An oil-resistant article comprising an elastomer, said oil-resistant article consisting essentially of an elastomeric outer surface and an elastomeric inner portion, said elastomer being epoxidized at least at a portion of said outer surface, said elastomer in said inner portion containing unsaturation, said inner portion and said outer surface having properties differing from each other due to said epoxidation of said outer surface.
Method for epoxidizing a surface of an unepoxidized elastomer having unsaturation in its structure consisting of the step of contacting said surface of said elastomer with an epoxidizing agent to provide epoxide rings on the surface of said elastomer;
- wherein said elastomer is selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and mixtures thereof;
- wherein said epoxidizing agent is selected from the group consisting of peracids disposed in a medium;
- and wherein said medium is a nonsolvent for said elastomer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.