Abstract: A rubber-metal bonded article with an adhesion promoter in the rubber selected from neoalkoxy zirconates and polyimides. Articles requiring compressed rubber exhibit improved retention of compressive strain after assembly of the article and activation of the adhesion promoter. Also claimed is a method wherein a rubber composition may be fully cured, then assembled between two substrates under compression, then the adhesion promoter activated to form the bond.

Abstract: A polymeric product with at least one surface subject to wear or abrasion, at least a portion of which product includes microcapsules of an indicator substance which is released to indicate a state of wear has been reached. The microencapsulated indicator substance may be a fragrance or a colorant. The indicating portion or zone may be a layer or a thin sheet of microcapsules in rubber or in the polymeric material making up the body of the product. There may be more than one indicating layer or zone in the product. The various zones may contain different fragrances or colorants, which may provide progressive indication of the state of wear.

Abstract: A power transmission belt or hose or other dynamic article with an elastomeric body comprising a rubber composition that includes an ionomeric polymer additive, such as an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer or a butyl ionomer. The rubber body exhibits improved crack growth resistance over the same body composition without the ionomer additive.

Abstract: A polymeric product with at least one surface subject to wear or abrasion, at least a portion of which product includes microcapsules of an indicator substance which is released to indicate a state of wear has been reached. The microencapsulated indicator substance may be a fragrance or a colorant. The indicating portion or zone may be a layer or a thin sheet of microcapsules in rubber or in the polymeric material making up the body of the product. There may be more than one indicating layer or zone in the product. The various zones may contain different fragrances or colorants, which may provide progressive indication of the state of wear.

Abstract: A rubber-metal bonded article with an adhesion promoter in the rubber selected from neoalkoxy zirconates and polyimides. Articles requiring compressed rubber exhibit improved retention of compressive strain after assembly of the article and activation of the adhesion promoter. Also claimed is a method wherein a rubber composition may be fully cured, then assembled between two substrates under compression, then the adhesion promoter activated to form the bond.

Abstract: A rubber-metal bonded article with an adhesion promoter in the rubber selected from neoalkoxy zirconates and polyimides. Articles requiring compressed rubber exhibit improved retention of compressive strain after assembly of the article and activation of the adhesion promoter. Also claimed is a method wherein a rubber composition may be fully cured, then assembled between two substrates under compression, then the adhesion promoter activated to form the bond.

Abstract: Compositions useful for power transmission belts or hose which utilize environmentally friendly cellulosic reinforcing fibers. The elastomeric or rubber compositions include a base elastomer, polyvinylpyrrolidone, a cellulosic fiber, and a curative. The base elastomer may be one or more selected from ethylene elastomers, nitrile elastomers, and polychloroprene elastomers. The elastomer may be an ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer. The polyvinylpyrrolidone may be present in an amount of 5 to 50 parts weight per hundred parts of the elastomer. The cellulosic fiber may be one or more selected from kenaf, jute, hemp, flax, ramie, sisal, wood, rayon, acetate, triacetate, and cotton. The cellulosic fiber may be a bast fiber. The cellulosic fiber is present in an amount of 1 to 50 parts weight per hundred parts of the elastomer.

Abstract: A composite article having an elastomeric composition with a blowing agent having an activation temperature and providing at least one structural member defining a fixed gap. The composition is formed below the blowing agent's activation temperature into a solid elastomeric member approximately the thickness of or larger than the gap. The elastomeric member is assembled into the gap, which may place the elastomeric member in a state of compression in the gap. The elastomeric member is then expanded by heating it above the activation temperature. During expansion, the escape of the gas produced is limited to increase the state of compression of the elastomer in the gap by means of confining any free surfaces or by including a platy filler such as nanoclay in the composition.

Abstract: A method of forming a bonded part with a press-fit, vulcanized rubber member residing in compression between two rigid members and bonded thereto. The rubber member is a laminate with a core layer between two self-bonding rubber layers. The bonded part may be, for example, a vibration damper, isolator or absorber. The core layer and the self-bonding layers may have the same primary elastomer and cure system type, and the self-bonding layers have an adhesion promoter not present in the core layer. The adhesive layers may be from 0.05 to 1 mm thick or from 5% to 10% of the laminate thickness. The method includes forming a rubber core layer, curing it, applying a rubber adhesive layer on each side to form a laminate, inserting the laminate between two rigid members under compression, and post-curing to form a bonded part. The adhesive layers may be partially cured before inserting.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition and a power transmission belt based on the elastomeric composition, wherein the composition includes kenaf fiber.

Abstract: Compositions useful for power transmission belts or hose which utilize environmentally friendly cellulosic reinforcing fibers. The elastomeric or rubber compositions include a base elastomer, polyvinylpyrrolidone, a cellulosic fiber, and a curative. The base elastomer may be one or more selected from ethylene elastomers, nitrile elastomers, and polychloroprene elastomers. The elastomer may be an ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer. The polyvinylpyrrolidone may be present in an amount of 5 to 50 parts weight per hundred parts of the elastomer. The cellulosic fiber may be one or more selected from kenaf, jute, hemp, flax, ramie, sisal, wood, rayon, acetate, triacetate, and cotton. The cellulosic fiber may be a bast fiber. The cellulosic fiber is present in an amount of 1 to 50 parts weight per hundred parts of the elastomer.

Abstract: A method of forming a bonded part with a press-fit, vulcanized rubber member residing in compression between two rigid members and bonded thereto. The rubber member is a laminate with a core layer between two self-bonding rubber layers. The bonded part may be, for example, a vibration damper, isolator or absorber. The core layer and the self-bonding layers may have the same primary elastomer and cure system type, and the self-bonding layers have an adhesion promoter not present in the core layer. The adhesive layers may be from 0.05 to 1 mm thick or from 5% to 10% of the laminate thickness. The method includes forming a rubber core layer, curing it, applying a rubber adhesive layer on each side to form a laminate, inserting the laminate between two rigid members under compression, and post-curing to form a bonded part. The adhesive layers may be partially cured before inserting.

Abstract: A power transmission belt or hose or other dynamic article with an elastomeric body comprising a rubber composition that includes an ionomeric polymer additive, such as an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer or a butyl ionomer. The rubber body exhibits improved crack growth resistance over the same body composition without the ionomer additive.

Abstract: A method of making a composite article includes providing an elastomeric composition with a blowing agent having an activation temperature and providing at least one structural member defining a fixed gap. The composition is formed below the blowing agent's activation temperature into a solid elastomeric member approximately the thickness of or larger than the gap. The elastomeric member is assembled into the gap, which may place the elastomeric member in a state of compression in the gap. The elastomeric member is then expanded by heating it above the activation temperature. During expansion, the escape of the gas produced is limited to increase the state of compression of the elastomer in the gap by means of confining any free surfaces or by including a platy filler such as nanoclay in the composition.

Abstract: A composite article having an elastomeric composition with a blowing agent having an activation temperature and providing at least one structural member defining a fixed gap. The composition is formed below the blowing agent's activation temperature into a solid elastomeric member approximately the thickness of or larger than the gap. The elastomeric member is assembled into the gap, which may place the elastomeric member in a state of compression in the gap. The elastomeric member is then expanded by heating it above the activation temperature. During expansion, the escape of the gas produced is limited to increase the state of compression of the elastomer in the gap by means of confining any free surfaces or by including a platy filler such as nanoclay in the composition.

Abstract: A rubber-metal bonded article with an adhesion promoter in the rubber selected from neoalkoxy zirconates and polyimides. Articles requiring compressed rubber exhibit improved retention of compressive strain after assembly of the article and activation of the adhesion promoter. Also claimed is a method wherein a rubber composition may be fully cured, then assembled between two substrates under compression, then the adhesion promoter activated to form the bond.

Abstract: A rubber composition having (A) an elastomer component in which the primary elastomer constituent is an ethylene-propylene elastomer polymerized in the gas phase with a metallocene catalyst and having a molecular weight of at least about 250,000; (B) a silicon-modified olefinic elastomer in an amount of from about 5 to about 50 parts per hundred parts of the elastomer component; (C) ground mica in an amount of from about 2.5 to about 30 parts per hundred parts of the elastomer component; and (D) a peroxide curative. The composition may be used in a vibration isolator which may be used in a belt drive system.

Abstract: A bonded part with a press-fit, vulcanized rubber member residing in compression between two rigid members and bonded thereto. The rubber member is a laminate with a core layer sandwiched between and bonded to two self-bonding rubber layers. The bonded part may be, for example, a vibration damper, isolator or absorber. The core layer and the self-bonding layers may have the same primary elastomer and cure system type, and the self-bonding layers have an adhesion promoter not present in the core layer. The adhesive layers may be from 0.05 to 1 mm thick or from 5% to 10% of the laminate thickness. The method includes forming a rubber core layer, curing it, applying a rubber adhesive layer on each side to form a laminate, inserting the laminate between two rigid members under compression, and post-curing to form a bonded part. The adhesive layers may be partially cured before inserting.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper or other vibration damping device with a rubber vibration absorbing element. The rubber element is a peroxide-cured composition based on 100 parts of ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer, and 5 to 100 parts of polyvinyl butyral polymer which may have a molecular weight from about 40,000 to about 250,000. The composition may also include a compatibilizer or homogenizer, such as chlorinated polyethylene. The polyvinyl butyral increases the damping of the composition, and the compatibilizer improves the temperature stability of the damping.

Abstract: A method of making a composite article includes providing an elastomeric composition with a blowing agent having an activation temperature and providing at least one structural member defining a fixed gap. The composition is formed below the blowing agent's activation temperature into a solid elastomeric member approximately the thickness of or larger than the gap. The elastomeric member is assembled into the gap, which may place the elastomeric member in a state of compression in the gap. The elastomeric member is then expanded by heating it above the activation temperature. During expansion, the escape of the gas produced is limited to increase the state of compression of the elastomer in the gap by means of confining any free surfaces or by including a platy filler such as nanoclay in the composition.