Constant velocity joint boot and method of making the same
OwnerGary D. Grabaum, Theodore H. Collins +5inventors
InventorsGary D. Grabaum, Theodore H. Collins, Gwynne Williams, Mohan L. Sanduja, Carl Horowitz, Boris Shvartsman, Paul Thottathil
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Abstract
Durability of elastomeric bellows-type suspension and drivetrain components, particularly constant velocity joint boots, is improved by coating the elastomeric boot with a thin, flexible, and lubricious coating formed by curing the admixture of epoxy resins, curing agents, an unsaturated polymerizable monomer, a free radical polymerization and/or grafting initiator, and a non-fugitive solid lubricant. The coating strongly adheres to the elastomer and greatly increases the longevity under severe operating conditions.
Claims20
An improved elastomeric constant velocity joint boot, comprising:
- a) a boot wall of elastomeric material having an inner surface and an outer surface and a wall thickness;
- and
- b) a cured coating disposed on at least one of said outer surface and/or said inner surface, said coating prior to curing comprising the admixture of:
- b)i) one or more epoxy resins;
- b)ii) one or more polymerizable unsaturated monomers;
- b)iii) one or more curing agents;
- b)iv) an effective amount of one or more vinyl polymerization catalysts;
- and
- b)v) an effective friction reducing amount of one or more solid non-fugitive lubricants,
- wherein said improved constant velocity joint boot exhibits improved durability with respect to an otherwise identical boot not having said coating disposed thereon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.