Advanced Elastomer Systems, L.p.

Karla Drew Shaw

Sabet Abdou-Sabet

Kenneth Emery Kear

Mary C Boyce

An automotive sealant composite structure is provided. The composite structure includes a first piece comprising a first elastomeric component that includes an at least partially crosslinked rubber, a first olefinic thermoplastic resin component, and a second olefinic thermoplastic resin component. The second olefinic thermoplastic resin component includes a propylene copolymer that has (i) 60 wt % or more units derived from propylene, (ii) isotactically arranged propylene derived sequences and (iii) a heat of fusion less than 45 J/g. The composite structure also includes a second piece at least partially adhered to the first piece. Preferably, the second piece includes one or more thermoset ethylene copolymer rubbers. Preferably, the first piece is a corner piece and the second piece is a straight piece at least partially adhered to the corner piece, together constituting a vehicular window seal structure.

Corner molding compositions for automotive sealant systems

A thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) is produced by melt blending until the volume fraction of dispersed rubber particles is greater than 0.5 preferably from 0.55 to 0.95, the remaining being the dispersed continuous plastic phase in a manner so as to develop a morphology which generates optimum elastic recovery. The majority (by volume) of large rubber particles are adjacent a small particle which is separated from one or more large particles by a critically thin, less than 0.1 $G(m)m thick, ligament of deformable plastic. When the majority of large particles evidence this morphology, as seen in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) photomicrograph, the TPV exhibits unexpectedly higher elastic recovery than if the ligaments were thicker. The foregoing is simulated in a micromechanical model which confirms, and in retrospect, predicts the observed actual elastic recovery of the TPV.

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Copley, OH, United States of America

Karla Drew Shaw