Patent ID: 6403686
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: C08K

Abstract:
An elastomeric formulation system, comprising: components A and B which are combinable to form a blend in which a vulcanizing reaction is initiated for solidifying the components into a solid mass; component A thereof comprising an aqueous latex of natural or synthetic rubber; and component B thereof comprising an oil carrier in which is dispersed a vulcanizing agent operative to cure the component A rubber, and component B further comprising a hygroscopic agent operative to chemically bind the water in component A; said component A and B being operative when intermixed to form a water-in-oil blend whereby said oil carrier containing said hygroscopic agent and vulcanizing agent provides a continuous phase wherein an aqueous phase of component A containing said rubber is dispersed therein as a discontinuous phase, the respective locations of said hygroscopic agent, vulcanizing agent, and rubber thereby providing a reaction dynamic wherein said rubber becomes swelled by said oil and said hygroscopic agent chemically binds water in the latex discontinuous aqueous phase, thereby effectuating an increase in viscosity of said intermixed components and enabling said vulcanizing agent and rubber to be introduced to each other such that curing can be achieved at a time later than said viscosity-increasing effectuation;said oil carrier of component B comprising: (a) a naphthenic oil in the amount of 40-90% by total weight of said oil carrier, said naphthenic oil comprising aromatics, paraffins, and naphthenes, wherein said naphthenes are saturated cyclic hydrocarbons and are percentage-wise the major component of said naphthenic oil; and (b) an organic rheology modifier in the amount of 0.4 to 3.5 wt % based on total weight of said oil carrier, said organic rheology modifier comprising a modified castor oil, a polyamide, a linear or branched alkylene molecule having a molecular weight of 1000-100,000, calcium sulfonate, modified urea, or a mixture thereof.