Abstract: An elastomer blend is made by admixing fluoroelastomer and fluorinated silicone polymer (with optional filler and/or conductive particulate) into a polymeric admixture in weight ratios to provide a low vaporous hydrocarbon permeation rate and high thermal strain value in thermally robust elastomer cured from the blend. The blend is of especial use for making gaskets for use in high stress conditions at elevated operating temperatures.

Abstract: A processable rubber composition contains a double cured fluorocarbon elastomer dispersed in a matrix of a thermoplastic polymeric material. The cured elastomer contains repeating units derived from one or more fluorine-containing monomers, and further contains low levels of a peroxide cure site that contains at least one of a C—Cl bond, a C—Br bond, a C—I bond, and an olefin. In one embodiment the matrix forms a continuous phase and the vulcanized elastomeric material is in the form of particles forming a non-continuous phase. In various embodiments, the processable compositions are thermally processed into molded articles that exhibit a high degree of base resistance, especially a high degree of resistance to degradation of physical properties upon exposure to fluids containing strong nucleophiles such as amines.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a shaped rubber article, comprising admixing at least one thermoplastic material and at least one elastomer material to provide a processable and dimensionally stable rubber composition, shaping the composition, and irradiating the composition to form the shaped rubber article. The dimensional stability of the uncured composition may be provided by partial dynamic vulcanization, high performance reinforcing fillers, fractional curing, or combinations thereof. The elastomer material is present in an amount greater than about 65% by weight based on the total weight of the thermoplastic and elastomer materials present in the admixture.

Abstract: Thermoplastic vulcanizate compositions prepared from fluorothermoplastic matrix and dispersed fluoroelastomeric regions, and articles comprising the thermoplastic vulcanizate, exhibiting improved resistance to polar organic solvents.

Abstract: Two-phase or single-phase admixtures of a plastic and an elastomer, two or more thermoplastics, or two or more elastomers are irradiated (preferably with electron beam radiation) to cross-link the thermoplastic and, in the case of elastomer and thermoplastic admixtures, generate bi-modal molecules having moieties derived from both the elastomer and the thermoplastic.

Abstract: Admixtures either of a plastic and an elastomer, a plurality of thermoplastics, or a plurality of elastomers are formed into a shaped item for an article (such as a dynamic seal, a static seal, a gasket, a pump diaphragm, a hose, or an o-ring), and the thermoplastic is then cross-linked (cured). Radiation (preferably, electron beam radiation) is used for the cross-linking and for generating bi-modal molecules from the elastomer and the thermoplastic when both a thermoplastic and an elastomer are in the admixture.

Abstract: A curable fluorocarbon elastomer is dynamically cured in the presence of a major amount of a non-curing thermoplastic material and a minor amount of a second fluorocarbon elastomer that does not cure under the dynamic vulcanization conditions. The non-curing elastomer is preferably present at from 1 to 20 parts based on 100 parts of the curing fluorocarbon elastomer. Processable rubber compositions comprise a continuous phase of a thermoplastic material, particles of a cured fluorocarbon elastomer dispersed in the continuous phase, and an uncured fluorocarbon elastomer at a level of 10 parts or less per 100 parts of the cured fluorocarbon elastomer. Shaped articles such as gaskets and seals are produced by thermoplastic processing of the processable rubber compositions.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a shaped rubber article, comprising admixing at least one thermoplastic material and at least one elastomer material to provide a processable and dimensionally stable rubber composition, shaping the composition, and irradiating the composition to form the shaped rubber article. The dimensional stability of the uncured composition may be provided by partial dynamic vulcanization, high performance reinforcing fillers, fractional curing, or combinations thereof. The elastomer material is present in an amount greater than about 65% by weight based on the total weight of the thermoplastic and elastomer materials present in the admixture.

Abstract: An elastomer blend is made by admixing fluoroelastomer and fluorinated silicone polymer (with optional filler and/or conductive particulate) into a polymeric admixture in weight ratios to provide a low vaporous hydrocarbon permeation rate and high thermal strain value in thermally robust elastomer cured from the blend. The blend is of especial use for making gaskets for use in high stress conditions at elevated operating temperatures.

Abstract: An elastomer blend is made by admixing fluoroelastomer and fluorinated silicone polymer (with optional filler and/or conductive particulate) into a polymeric admixture in weight ratios to provide a low vaporous hydrocarbon permeation rate and high thermal strain value in thermally robust elastomer cured from the blend. The blend is of especial use for making gaskets for use in high stress conditions at elevated operating temperatures.

Abstract: A bi-modal compound is provided having an elastomeric moiety and a second moiety derived from any of a metal, a ceramic, and thermoplastic. At least one free radical site is generated (preferably with electron beam radiation) on an elastomer molecule to provide the elastomeric moiety; and a metal, ceramic, or thermoplastic are then bonded to the free radical site.

Abstract: A cured magnetizable admixture of elastomeric thermoplastic, dispersed magnetizable particulate, and optional dispersed hydrophobic material (such as ethylene acrylic monomer rubber or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) provides elastic elongation of not less than about 50 percent at break and water swell of not greater than about 10 percent after curing in magnetizable articles such as target wheels. The magnetizable composition beneficially combines mechanical and durability advantages of traditionally-used thermoset elastomer-based magnetic compounds, under the range of conditions needed for vehicle encoder applications, with the processing and manufacturing advantages of engineered thermoplastics.

Abstract: A thermoplastically processable cured rubber composition comprises a crosslinked or cured urethane polymer dispersed in a matrix made of a thermoplastic polymeric material. In one aspect, the matrix forms a continuous phase and the crosslinked urethane polymer is in the form of particles forming a non-continuous phase. The processable rubber compositions can be made by a process of dynamic vulcanization of a urethane prepolymer material in the presence of the thermoplastic matrix material. The process involves combining a urethane prepolymer, a curing agent capable of reacting with the urethane prepolymer, and a thermoplastic material to form a mixture, and heating the mixture at a temperature and for a time sufficient to effect reaction between the curing agent and the prepolymer. Mechanical energy is supplied to the mixture during the heating step so that the crosslinking or curing of the urethane prepolymer occurs while the prepolymer and thermoplastic are undergoing a mixing.

Abstract: A gasket is adapted to seal between a first member and a second member, and includes a first portion a second portion. The first portion includes a first elastomeric seal portion adapted to be in sealing engagement with the first member. The first portion may also include a clip or a coil spring contained within an elastomeric portion in order to provide a sealing force against the first member. The second portion is preferably molded integral with the first portion and includes a second elastomeric seal portion having a coil spring contained therein. The second portion is adapted to be in sealing engagement with the second member, with the coil spring being compressed in its normal direction when the gasket is assembled between the first member and the second member. The coil spring, then, exerts a sealing force with minimal degradation over time.

Abstract: A thermoplastically processable cured rubber composition comprises a crosslinked or cured urethane polymer dispersed in a matrix made of a thermoplastic polymeric material. In one aspect, the matrix forms a continuous phase and the crosslinked urethane polymer is in the form of particles forming a non-continuous phase. The processable rubber compositions can be made by a process of dynamic vulcanization of a urethane prepolymer material in the presence of the thermoplastic matrix material. The process involves combining a urethane prepolymer, a curing agent capable of reacting with the urethane prepolymer, and a thermoplastic material to form a mixture, and heating the mixture at a temperature and for a time sufficient to effect reaction between the curing agent and the prepolymer. Mechanical energy is supplied to the mixture during the heating step so that the crosslinking or curing of the urethane prepolymer occurs while the prepolymer and thermoplastic are undergoing a mixing.

Abstract: A gasket is adapted to seal between a first member and a second member, and includes a first portion a second portion. The first portion includes a first elastomeric seal portion adapted to be in sealing engagement with the first member. The first portion may also include a clip or a coil spring contained within an elastomeric portion in order to provide a sealing force against the first member. The second portion is preferably molded integral with the first portion and includes a second elastomeric seal portion having a coil spring contained therein. The second portion is adapted to be in sealing engagement with the second member, with the coil spring being compressed in its normal direction when the gasket is assembled between the first member and the second member. The coil spring, then, exerts a sealing force with minimal degradation over time.