Flexible resin boot and method for producing it

Abstract

Provided is a flexible resin boot of which the noise-preventing effect lasts long and which ensures improved sealability and durability. The boot is formed from a base resin of a thermoplastic elastomer resin, and has a large port and a small port that are connected with each other via a bellows therebetween. For this, mineral oil or vegetable oil is added to the thermoplastic elastomer resin. Preferably, the thermoplastic elastomer resin is a thermoplastic polyester elastomer, and the mineral oil is process oil having an aromatic content of at most 13%. The boot is used for covering the constant velocity joint in an automobile.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a bellows-shaped flexible resin boot to be used, for example, in constant velocity joints for automobiles, and to a method for producing it.

[0002] A flexible resin boot of the type has a large port at one end to be fitted to the housing of a constant velocity joint of an automobile, and a small port at the other to be fitted to the axle thereof, and has a tapered bellows between the two ports. Applied to a constant velocity joint, it prevents grease from leaking out of the joint and prevents dust from entering the joint.

[0003] For forming such flexible boots, heretofore, chloroprene rubber has been used generally. However, flexible boots formed from chloroprene rubber are much expanded and deformed by the rotational centrifugal force, especially when they are rotated at high speed. In case where they are kept expanded and deformed under the condition for a long period of time, or where they undergo repeated expansion and contraction, they will...

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