Crosslinkable Elastomer Compositions for Low Viscosity Processing

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for vulcanizable compositions that have low viscosity during processing but achieve high thermal stability and load stability after vulcanization, combining the properties of liquid-processable materials like silicone rubbers and high-performance elastomers such as HNBR, EVM, ACM, and AEM rubbers, while also exhibiting high adhesive strength to metals and polar substrates.

Innovation Solution

The development of crosslinkable compositions containing elastomers with carboxyl and/or carboxylate groups, combined with special unsaturated carboxylic acid salts of metal ions and a free-radical crosslinking system, which maintain low viscosity during processing and exhibit high thermal stability and adhesive properties after vulcanization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If high-performance elastomers (HNBR, EVM, ACM, AEM) are used to achieve high thermal stability and load stability after vulcanization, then the viscosity at room temperature becomes too high for liquid processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidviscosity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the elastomer from solid/high-viscosity form to liquid/low-viscosity form by controlling the elastomer's molecular structure and crosslinking density, enabling liquid processing while maintaining high thermal stability after vulcanization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary crosslinking in the liquid state before final vulcanization, creating a pre-crosslinked structure that maintains dimensional stability at room temperature while allowing liquid processing at elevated temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If elastomers are processed in liquid form to enable low-viscosity processing, then they lack sufficient stability under load at room temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing easeVSAvoidstability under load

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary crosslinking in the liquid state before final vulcanization, creating a pre-crosslinked structure that maintains dimensional stability at room temperature while allowing liquid processing at elevated temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite system combining elastomer with inorganic fillers and crosslinking agents, where the filler particles provide structural support and stability under load while the elastomer matrix provides flexibility and processing ease

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If conventional high-performance rubber systems are used to achieve high strength and elasticity, then they cannot be processed in liquid form with low viscosity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetensile strengthVSAvoidviscosity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the elastomer from solid/high-viscosity form to liquid/low-viscosity form by controlling the elastomer's molecular structure and crosslinking density, enabling liquid processing while maintaining high thermal stability after vulcanization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary crosslinking in the liquid state before final vulcanization, creating a pre-crosslinked structure that maintains dimensional stability at room temperature while allowing liquid processing at elevated temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Temperature

If materials are designed for high thermal stability after vulcanization, then their processing viscosity remains too high for customary liquid processing methods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidprocessing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the elastomer from solid/high-viscosity form to liquid/low-viscosity form by controlling the elastomer's molecular structure and crosslinking density, enabling liquid processing while maintaining high thermal stability after vulcanization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

These compositions result in high-strength, elastic vulcanizates with excellent adhesive properties to metals and polar substrates, offering a unique combination of processing ease and thermal stability, not previously achievable with conventional high-performance rubber systems.

Implementation Method 1

a crosslinking system based on free-radical donors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFree radical polymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

elastomers which have carboxyl- and/or carboxylate groups... high adhesive effect with respect to metals and customary polar substrates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoordination bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS7645833B2Crosslinkable compositions, processes for the preparation thereof and the use thereof

Publication Date: 2010.01.12 ARLANXEO DEUT GMBH

AI summary

Novel crosslinkable compositions based on elastomers, at least one of which has carboxyl and/or carboxylate groups, are provided, these crosslinkable compositions containing special unsaturated organic salts of metal ions and a crosslinking system which acts as a free radical donor. Crosslinked elastomers which have excellent physical properties are obtainable therefrom. The novel crosslinkable compositions have a wide range of uses.