Synthetic cork compound

Abstract

A synthetic cork compound includes a methyl vinyl silicone polymer with a microsphere agent such as soda lime borosilicate in an amount of approximately 5 to 50 weight percent. The microsphere agent gives the compound a low density. The methyl vinyl silicone polymer preferably includes polydimethylvinylsiloxane polymer from about 20 to 60 weight percent and fumed silica from about 20 to 60 weight percent. Preferably, the compound is catalyzed using chloro-platanic acid from about 0.1 to 5 percent. Additional components of the compound include toasted oak dust from about 0.1 to 25 weight percent, a pigment from about 0.1 to 5 weight percent, silicon hydride from about 0.1 to 25 weight percent, and ethynl cyclohexanol from about 0.05 to 5 weight percent.

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to synthetic cork blends, and more particularly to a polysiloxane-based blend which has the properties of natural cork and overcomes some of the disadvantages of natural cork. Background technique

[0002] Natural cork has been used for centuries for its unique properties and natural availability. Cork comes from the bark of the Quercus suber. The bark is renewable, so special care needs to be taken when removing the bark so as not to damage the tree beneath the bark. Once removed, the bark undergoes a series of drying and boiling steps that typically take six months to complete. After the final drying process, the cork is cut into pieces to form any desired product. The bark of the cork oak is only harvested every 9 to 12 years, and the bark of the cork oak is usually more than 40 years old before its bark can be made into natural wine cork.

[0003] Cork has many desirable properties, i...

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