Method for improving dispersion and compatibility of zinc salts in elastomeric compounds during vulcanization
AssigneeArizona Chemical Company
InventorEric S. Gardiner
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Abstract
The invention disclosed herein relates to methods for vulcanizing elastomeric materials. The method comprises providing a mixture of ZnO and an amphiphilic triblock copolymer selected from the group consisting of rosin and C.sub.18 -C.sub.24 fatty acid esters of polyethylene glycol and the use of the mixture for vulcanizing an elastomeric component with sulfur. The mixture not only improves the dispersion of zinc salts in the elastomeric composition but also reduces mold fouling by reducing the migration of zinc salts to the interfacial area of the elastomeric composition.
Claims23
A process for vulcanizing an elastomeric material which comprises:
- premixing ZnO and an amount of amphiphilic triblock copolymer (ATC) sufficient to provide a dispersion of ZnO in the ATC, the ATC being selected from the group consisting of rosin diesters and C.sub.18 -C.sub.24 fatty acid diesters of polyethylene glycol (PEG), the PEG having a molecular weight of from about 350 to about 1000 amu;
- combining the ZnO/ATC dispersion with an elastomeric component and sulfur to provide a reaction mixture;
- and
- vulcanizing the reaction mixture.
A vulcanizable elastomeric composition comprising an elastomeric component, sulfur, and a dispersion of ZnO in an amphiphilic triblock copolymer (ATC) selected from the group consisting of rosin diesters and C.sub.18 -C.sub.24 fatty acid diesters of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 350 to PEG 1000 amu wherein the amount of ZnO in the composition ranges from about 1% to about 4% by weight based on the elastomeric component and the amount of ATC ranges from about 10 to about 100% by weight based on the weight of ZnO in the composition.
A vulcanized elastomeric material comprising an elastomeric matrix containing one or more zinc salts and an amphiphilic triblock copolymer material (ATC) selected from the group consisting of rosin diesters and C.sub.18 -C.sub.24 fatty acid diesters of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 350 to PEG 1000 dispersed in the elastomeric matrix.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.