PROCESSING COADJUVANTS FOR RUBBERS VULCANIZABLE BY MEANS OF PEROXIDES

Abstract: Liquid non-brominated perfluoropolyethers in amounts of 0 to 1 part by weight for 100 parts by weight of elasto­ mer and derivatives thereof having brominated end groups in amounts of 0.01 to 5 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of elastomer, having a molecular weight ranging from 500 to 10 000, are used as additives in rubber blends vulcanizable with peroxides in order to improve the pro­ cessability during the extrusion and the release of the vulcanized article from the molding dies.

Description: The present invention relates to rubbers which are vulca­ nizable by means of peroxides and exhibit improved processa­ bility such as a better extrudability and a better release of the vulcanized article from the molding dies utilized for injection molding or compression molding. The invention is based on the use of additives of the class of perfluoropolyethers and derivatives thereof having bromi­ nated end groups of the following general formula: A-(O-C₃F₆) m -(OF) n -(OCF₂CF₂)­ q -O-B (I) wherein T is F or CF₃, m, n and q are integers, zero inclu­ ded; m+n+q ranges from 2 to 200, is ≦ 50 when n and/or q are different from zero; when m = 0, q/n is ≧ 0.2 and ≦ 20, n being different from zero; when q = 0, m/n ranges from 1 to 50, n being different from zero; A and B are the same or different and represent -CF₂X, -CF₂-CF₂-X, --X, -CF₂-CFX-CF-SB3-, -COF, -CF₂-COF or --COF, X being bromine or fluorine; when m is different from zero, X can be bromine only in A or in B. Particularly suitable are the liquid products with a mean molecular weight ranging from 500 to 10 000, the preferred ones being those which contain at least a bromine atom in at least one of end groups A and B. Perfluoropolyethers of the formula: F-(CF₂CF₂CF₂-O) n -CF₂CF₃ (II) where n is an integer higher than 2 and lower than 200, prepared according to the method described in European patent 148 482 may also be used. Furthermore, it is possible to use mixtures of neutral com­ pounds of classes (I) and/or (II) with the brominated com­ pounds of class (I). The term "neutral compounds" denotes a perfluoropolyether having terminal groups without bro­ mine. These end groups render the compounds chemically inert. Compounds of formula (I) which are useful as addi­ tives according to the invention are, for instance, the perfluoropolyethers prepared by photochemical oxidation of C₂F₄ or C₃F₆, commercially known as Fomblin®Z and Fomblin®Y and the perfluoropolyethers of the class of poly­ mers derived from perfluoropropene-epoxide, commercially known as Krytox®. It is also possible to utilize perfluo­ ropolyethers prepared by photochemical oxidation of C₂F₄ and C₃F₆. Particularly suitable are brominated perfluoropolyether derivatives prepared according to the processes described in IT-A-19653 A/85 and 22517 A/85 and obtained as mixtures of products at different bromination degrees. The additives according to the present invention are dis­ persed in rubbers vulcanizable by means of peroxides or by means of mixed peroxy and ionic vulcanisation systems in blends thereof in order to improve their processability characteristics, as explained above. As is known, the vulcanization systems based on peroxides are capable of vulcanizing many types of rubber, imparting to the vulcanized articles such properties as a high sta­ bility to heat, chemical agents and mechanical stresses. The rubber blends vulcanizable with peroxides that are known in the art generally consists of the following compo­ nents: Rubber Examples of elastomers vulcanizable with peroxides are natural rubber, ethylene/propylene/diene copolymers, buta­ diene/styrene rubbers, butadiene/acrylonitrile rubbers, silicone rubbers, fluoroelastomers containing peroxy vul­ canization sites, blends of rubbers of which at least one is vulcanizable with peroxides or with mixed vulcanization systems, in particular, mixtures of a fluoroelastomer based on CH₂ = CF₂ and of an elastomeric polymer C₂F₄/C₃H₆ of the type AFLAS®. Peroxy Starter (Vulcanizing Agent) This consists of an organic peroxide such as, for example, benzoylperoxide, dicumyl peroxide, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-­ butylperoxy)hexane, α,α'bis(t-butylperoxy)-diisopropyl­ benzene, aliphatic or cyclic bis-peroxycarbonates. Vulcanizing Coagent This consists of an unsaturated di- or tri-functional com­ pound such as, for example, triallylcyanurate, triallyl­ isocyanurate, divinylbenzene, m-phenylene-bis(maleimide). Reinforcing Fillers Carbon black, silica, etc. Acid Acceptors Such as, for example, lead, zinc, calcium, magnesium oxides. Processing Coadjuvants These coadjuvants are products endowed with plasticizing or lubricating properties such as, for example, vegetable waxes, low molecular weight polyethylenes, various stea­ rates, polyesters, octadecylamines and the like. The use of such coadjuvants is necessary because of the poor extrudability characteristics of the blends and the phenomena of adhesion to the dies and the soiling of them. In a few cases the conventional processing coadjuvants give rise to problems of interference with the peroxy vul­ canization system and to an unsatisfactory appearance of the surface of the molded article. Furthermore, in the specific case of fluoroelastomers, a "thermal stabiliza­ tion" (post-vulcanization) at temperatures of from 200 to 250°C for a time ranging from 10 to 30 hours is abso­ lutely necessary to impart to the fluoroelastomers the well-known properties of stability to heat, chemical agents and solvents. During this operation the common plastici­ zing agents (glycols, stearates, organic phosphates, oleates, phthalates etc.) volatilize and/or decompose. That causes a remarkable degradation of the mechanical properties of the final articles, in particular: - an excessive increase in hardness - a decay of the stability to compression set, - a decay of the elastic characteristics (low elongation and high modulus), - a low thermal stability which precludes the use thereof in extreme conditions (above 180°C). In conclusion, the advantages that can be achieved during processing result in unacceptable shortcomings in the final articles. Thus, the use of plasticizing or lubricating agents is limited to small amounts (1 to 3 p.h.r.) which do not ma­ terially alter the final properties of the vulcanized ar­ ticle and, on the other hand, are insufficient to meet the aforesaid requirements. In particular, it has been ascertained that, by employing perfluorosilicone oils, the hardness may be lowered by 4 to 5 points but this results in difficulties as regards the mixing with and incorporation into the fluoroelasto­ mers. Furthermore, a reduction in the vulcanization rate and a worsening of the compression set value and thermal stability can be observed. The use of fluorinated polymers such as Viton LM®, pro­ duced by Du Pont which have a very low molecular weight and the consistency of wax, was adopted in order to impart rheological characteristics to the blends, in particular, during extrusion. In this way it is possible to obtain manufactured articles of large size and with complicated profiles. However, the use of such a "plasticizer" in amounts of 10 to 20 parts by weight for 100 parts of fluoroelastomer is possible only with conventional vulcanizing systems while it is not useful for vulcanizing systems based on peroxides. The result is a worsening of the stability to heat, chemical agents, solvents and oils and of the compression set value. Surprisingly, by using the additives according to the present invention in amounts of 0 to 1 part by weight when the additive is not brominated and from 0.01 to 5 parts by weight for 100 parts of rubber when the additive is brominated and, preferably, up to 3 parts by weight in the case of additives having a mean molecular weight equal to or higher than 2 500, and up to 1.5 parts by weight in the case of additives having a mean molecular weight below 2 500, blends were obtained which - the other formulation elements (rubber, starter, crosslinking coagent, acidity acceptors) being the same - exhibited a better behaviour with regard to the processability during extrusion and the release of the vulcanized article from the dies. The use of high molecular weight additives improves in particular the processability in terms of yield and appea­ rance of the extrudate while the lower molecular weight additives migrate to the surface more easily, thus, impar­ ting in particular an excellent detachability of the vul­ canized article from the molding die. For this reason the amount of these low molecular weight additives has to be limited in order to prevent greasiness or, in the case of a high bromine functionality, a tangible inter­ ference with the vulcanization process. In fact, if the proper amounts of additives according to this invention are employed, these additives do not sub­ stantially interfere with the vulcanizing system. Actually, vulcanization tests carried out according to the standard ASTM D 2084 with an oscillating-disc rheometer (Monsanto) did not show significant differences with regard either to the rate or the vulcanization yield. Conversely, a reduction of the minimum torque was observed which is indicative of better processability of the mix. Furthermore, the bromine-containing additive forms a chemical bond with the elastomeric chain during the vulcanization process. In fact, if the mix containing the additive is subjected to extraction tests with the solvent CFC₂-CF₂Cl, the additive is recovered in the extraction liquid. Conversely, if the additive-containing mix is vulcanized, a subsequent extraction with the same solvent does not lead to a recovery in the liquid of the additive. This, in practice, leads to a further improvement: The final article retains an excellent surface appearance and does not exhibit greasiness. The use of the additives according to the present invention is particularly suitable for fluoroelastomers in general such as, for example, the copolymers of CH₂=CF₂ with C₃F₆ or with C₃F₆ + C₂F₄ and containing peroxy crosslinking sites, the copolymers of C₂F₄ with propylene or with per­ fluoroalkyl-perfluorovinyl ethers (in particular methyl­ vinyl ether) containing, in the latter case, a cure site monomer, terpolymers of C₃F₆, vinylidene fluoride and perfluoroalkyl-perfluorovinyl ether (in particular, methyl­ vinyl ether) containing a cure site monomer. The following examples further illustrate the application of the present invention. EXAMPLES 1 - 10 By means of the usual mixing techniques rubbers blends com­ prising the ingredients indicated in table 1 were prepared and the tests and determination indicated in table 1 were carried out. Ingredients used in these blends Elastomer 1: CH₂=CF₂/C₃F₆/C₂F₄ terpolymer in a molar ratio of 2/1/1, containing as a cure site monomer a brominated olefin having a Mooney viscosity ML (1+4) at 100°C of 104 and a total bromine content of 3 500 ppm (VITON® GF). Elastomer 2: CH₂=CF₂/C₃F₆ copolymer in a molar ratio of 3.5/1, containing as a cure site monomer a brominated olefin having a Mooney viscosity ML (1+4) at 100°C of 109 and a total bromine content of 2 000 ppm (FLUOREL® 2480). Elastomer 3: C₂F₄/C₃H₆ copolymer in a molar ratio of 1/1 having a Mooney viscosity ML (1+4) at 100°C of 130 (AFLAS®). Luperco® 101 XL = 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t - butylperoxy)-­ hexane; product at 45% by weight with 55% of inert filler. TAIC : Triallylisocyanurate Black MT: Carbon black for rubbers (ASTM N 990) Additive 1: Perfluoropolyether from hexafluoropropene, brominated at the end group, containing on average about 1 bromine atom per molecule (functionality about 1), having a viscosity of 30 cSt at 20°C and a molecular weight of about 1 220. Additive 1 was prepared as follows: Into a cylindrical photochemical reactor having an optical path of 0.5 cm, equipped with a coaxial quartz sheath for housing a mercury vapour lamp (type Hanau TQ150) or a noble gas (for example Xenon) discharge lamp (type PEK, INC × 75), equipped with a magnetic stirrer, a reflux condenser, a CO₂ trap and a thermoregulation system for both the reac­ tor and the sheath, 400 g of perfluoropolyether of C₃F₆ having an activated oxygen content equal to 0.75% by weight and an osmometrically determined molecular weight equal to 2 550 u.m.a. were charged. 10 g of bromine were added and the temperature was brought up to 100°C. Subsequently, after switching on the lamp, 20 g of bromine were added during the test which, on the whole, lasted for 15 hours. The reaction mass was then discharged into a flask and the residual bromine was dis­ tilled under vacuum. 395 g of a product having a mean molecular weight equal to 1 220 u.m.a., practically no oxidation properties and brominated end groups of the type R f OCF₂Br and in a ratio of one brominated end group for each perfluoro­ polyether chain, the other end group being composed of perfluoromethyl units -O-CF₃ or acyl fluorides or formyl fluoride were obtained. Additive 2: Perfluoropolyether from brominated tetrafluoro­ ethylene with a bromine functionality of about 1.8 having a viscosity of 29.8 cSt at 20°C and a molecular weight of about 4 500. Additive 2 was prepared as follows: Into a cylindrical photochemical reactor having a capacity of 300 cm³ with an optical path of 0.5 cm, equipped with a coaxial quartz sheath for housing a mercury vapour lamp (type Hanau TQ 150) or a noble gas discharge lamp, for example, Xenon (type PEK, INC x 75), equipped with a mag­ netic stirrer, a reflux dropping funnel, a CO₂ trap and a thermoregulation system both for the reactor and for the sheath system, 420 g of perfluoropolyether from tetrafluo­ roethylene having a peroxy oxygen content (P.O.) of 1.1% by weight, a viscosity of 10 900 cSt (at 20°C) and an m/n ratio, determined by NMR analysis (19F) equal to 0.95 were charged. After addition of 5 ml of Br₂, the blend was mixed and the temperature brought up to 110°C and main­ tained at this value for 16 hours in the course of which a further 25 ml of bromine were added. At the end of the reaction, after removal of the bromine, 397 g of a pro­ duct having a viscosity of 29.8 cSt (at 20°C) and an osmo­ metrically determined molecular weight equal to 4 500 u.m.a. were obtained. The functionality, considered as a ratio between brominated end groups of the type -OCF₂Br and the sum of the neutral end groups of the types -OCF₃, OCF₂CF₃ and acid -OCOF, determined from the relevant NMR signals (19 F ) was found to be equal to 1.8. Additive 3: Perfluoropolyether from neutral tetrafluoro­ ethylene having a viscosity of 30 cSt. Tests Detachability test: The mix was vulcanized in a press at 170°C for 15 minutes. The test piece was then removed from the mold at 170°C and the detachability was immediately evaluated on the basis of the percentage of breaks and/or of residue of vulcanized product, if any, adhering to the mold. In table 1 the detachability is indicated by: S (low): If, out of 4 test pieces, all test pieces break and/or leave residues of vulcanized product on the mold; or, if 1 test piece, at the most, detaches without brea­ king and/or leaving residues of vulcanized product on the mold; D (fairly good): If, out of 4 test pieces, 2 or 3 test pieces detach without breaking and/or leaving residues of vulcanized product adhering to the mold. B (good): If, out of 4 test pieces, all the test pieces detach without breaking and/or leaving vulcanized resi­ dues adhering to the mold. Processability test in the extruder. The processability was evaluated according to ASTM D 2230/78 which classifies the extrudates both as extrudate amount in grams per minute (Method B) and as surface appearance of the Garvey rating (Method A - System B). Characteristics of the vulcanized test pieces obtained The characteristics were determined on test pieces ob­ tained by vulcanization in a mold at 170°C for 15 minutes and subsequent post-vulcanization in an oven at 250°C for 16 hours, the post-vulcanization being preceded by a tem­ perature rise from 100°C to 250°C within 8 hours. In table 1, examples 1, 7 and 9 are comparative examples, i e., example 1 is to be compared with examples 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6; example 7 is to be compared with example 8; example 9 is to be compared with example 10. With regard to the thermal stability, a comparison between the examples of the invention with additive and those with­ out additive does not allow determination of a recog­ nisable effect of the additive according to the invention as the changes occuring upon variation of the additive fall within the variability of the measuring method.

Claims: 1. Rubbers or rubber blends vulcanizable with peroxides or mixed peroxy and ionic vulcanization systems having improved processability properties comprising, as pro­ cessing coadjuvants, brominated and/or non-brominated additives in an amount of from 0.01 to 5 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of elastomer when the coadju­ vant is brominated and 0 to 1 part by weight for 100 parts by weight of elastomer when the coadjuvant is non-brominated, said coadjuvants having the following general formulae: (I) A-(O-C₃F₆)m-(OF)n-­ (OCF₂CF₂)q-O-B wherein T is F or CF₃, m, n and q are integers, zero included, m+n+q ranges from 2 to 200, is 50 ≦ when n and/or q are different from zero, when m = 0, q/n is ≧0.2 and ≦20, n being different from zero; when q = 0, m/n ranges from 1 to 50, n being diffe­ rent from zero; A and B are the same or different and represent X being bromine or fluorine; when m is different from zero, X may be bromine only in A or B; (II) F-(CF₂CF₂CF₂-O)n-CF₂CF₃ wherein n is an integer higher than 2 and lower than 200; whereby said coadjuvants may also be a mixture of non-­ brominated additives of classes (I) and/or (II) with brominated additives of class (I). 2. The rubbers of rubber blends according to claim 1, wherein the coadjuvant has an average molecular weight ranging from 500 to 10 000. 3. The rubbers or rubber blends according to claim 2, wherein the coadjuvant is present in an amount of up to 3 parts by weight per 100 parts of elastomer when the molecular weight is ≧ 2 500 and up to 1.5 parts by weight when the molecular weight is < 2 500. 4. The rubbers or rubber blends according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the elastomer is selected from: (a) fluoroelastomeric copolymers of CH₂=CF₂ with C₃F₆, optionally containing C₂F₄; (b) copolymers of C₂F₄ with propylene; (c) fluoroelastomeric copolymers of C₂F₄ with per­ fluoroalkylperfluorovinylethers; (d) fluoroelastomeric terpolymers of C₃F₆, CH₂=CF₂ and a perfluoroalkylperfluorovinylether; (a), (c) and (d) containing peroxy crosslinking sites. 5. Rubbers or rubber blends according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the elastomer is a mixture of a fluoro­ elastomer based on CH₂=CF₂ and an elastomeric copolymer of C₂F₄/C₃H₆.

Inventors: CIRILLO, GIANNA, FERRO, RAFFAELE, TOMMASI, GIULIO
Applicants: AUSIMONT S.R.L.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: C08L21
IPC codes: C08L21, C08K5, C08L71, C08L27