Gencorp, Inc.

Mark L Brooks

Keith E Wilson

A polymer laminate produced by crosshead extrusion suitable for wear resistant applications such as a vehile glass run channel comprises a layer of a weather resistant rubber such as an ethylene-propylenediene (EPDM) rubber and a layer of a wear resistant thermoplastic such as polypropylene. The laminate is passed through an oven at an elevated temperature sufficient to cure the EPDM rubber, for example, at about 375.degree. F., with ambient temperature cooling fluid being blown over the exposed surface of the polypropylene thermoplastic. The interior polypropylene surface or interface is heated by the EPDM rubber which is at a high temperature as a result of the heat of extrusion and heat generated by cure thereof. As a result, the polypropylene interior surface or interface melts and causes it to flow and form a mechanical bond with the EPDM rubber while the exposed surface as well as a substantial portion of the polypropylene is kept from melting by the cooling fluid. The EPDM rubber can be extruded in the form of a channel having a longitudinal web which supports and is bonded to the laminated polypropylene wear strip to form a glass run channel.

Cohesive bonding process for forming a laminate of a wear resistant

A polymer laminate produced by crosshead extrusion suitable for wear resistant applications such as a vehicle glass run channel comprises a layer of a weather resistant rubber such as an ethylene-propylenediene (EPDM) rubber and a layer of a wear resistant thermoplastic such as polypropylene. The laminate is passed through an oven at an elevated temperature sufficient to cure the EPDM rubber, for example, at about 375.degree. F., with ambient temperature cooling fluid being blown over the exposed surface of the polypropylene thermoplastic. The interior polypropylene surface or interface is heated by the EPDM rubber which is at a high temperature as a result of the heat of extrusion and heat generated by cure thereof. As a result, the polypropylene interior surface or interface melts and causes it to flow and form a mechanical bond with the EPDM rubber while the exposed surface as well as a substantial portion of the polypropylene is kept from melting by the cooling fluid. The EPDM rubber can be extruded in the form of a channel having a longitudinal web which supports and is bonded to the laminated polypropylene wear strip to form a glass run channel.

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Wabash, IN, United States of America

Mark L Brooks