The British Petroleum Company, P.l.c.

Bp Chemicals International Limited

Peter Henry Westermann

Blends comprising (1) a rubber component containing polychloroprene and a defined amount of EPDM, (2) hardened extract, (3) a vulcanization agent.

Polychloroprene-containing blends

A blend of chlorosulphonated polyethylene elastomer and hardened extract obtained by blowing a gas containing free oxygen at elevated temperatures into a solvent extract of petroleum vacuum distillate or a deasphalted petroleum residue which extract boils above 350.degree. C at atmospheric pressure and contains a major proportion of aromatic hydrocarbons, said hardened extract having a saturated hydrocarbon content of not more than 10% by weight. The hardened extract serves not only to extend the chlorosulfonated polyethylene, but also improves certain physical properties of sheets made from the blend.

Blends containing modified polyethylene

Polychloroprene blends contain 3 - 300 parts by weight of polychloroprene of hardened extract. They may be produced by mixing latices.

Compositions containing polychloroprene

Carboxyl terminated polychloroprene is produced by polymerizing chloroprene in the presence of a peroxide initiator having two carboxyl groups. The chloroprene is brought into contact initially with all the peroxide initiator employed. Compositions containing the carboxyl terminated polychloroprene are also disclosed.

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Dorking, United Kingdom

Peter Henry Westermann