CHLOROSULFONATED ETHYLENE.ALPHA-OLEFIN COPOLYMER COMPOSITION AND PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF

Abstract: A chlorosulfonated ethylene.alpha-olefin copolymer composition is disclosed, comprising (a) 100 parts by weight of a chlorosulfonated ethylene.alpha-olefin copolymer containing from 25 to 32% by weight chlorine and from 0.3 to 2.5% by weight sulfur, (b) from 1 to 4 parts by weight of a metal oxide or a metal hydroxide, (c) from 3 to 15 parts by weight of an epoxy compound, (d) from 0.5 to 5 parts by weight of a thiuram, and (e) from 0.5 to 5 parts by weight of a maleimide. The chlorosulfonated ethylene.alpha-olefin copolymer of the invention provides vulcanized products having improved heat resistance, cold resistance and water resistance.

Description: This invention relates to a chlorosulfonated ethylene·α-olefin copolymer composition and a process for the production thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to a chlorosulfonated ethylene.alpha-olefin copolymer composition with improved heat resistance, cold resistance and water resistance of the products thereof after vulcanization. The chlorosulfonated copolymer composition of this invention is particularly useful in the field of rubber belts such as toothed rubber belts, poly-V-belts, etc. A chlorosulfonated polymer typified by chlorosulfonated polyethylene has properties similar to those of chloroprene rubber. However, since the chlorosulfonated polymer has improved in heat resistance, weather resistance and ozone resistance as compared with chloroprene rubber, the chlorosulfonated polymer is frequently used as a polymer having improved heat resistance. Accordingly, where the heat resistance of conventional chloroprene rubber is as yet insufficient, it has been attempted to replace the chloroprene rubber with a chlorosulfonated polymer. For example, there are rubber belts such as toothed belts and poly-V-belts made of such a chlorosulfonated polymer. However, since chlorosulfonated polyethylene is inferior in cold resistance as compared with chloroprene rubber, it is sometimes difficult to solve the problem of the cold resistance required for a toothed belt. On the other hand, in the field of toothed rubber belt, it is the most important technical theme to improve the water resistance of the product in addition to the aforesaid heat resistance and cold resistance thereof. It is known that for improving the heat resistance and water resistance of the vulcanized product of chlorosulfonated polyethylene, the use of a lead compound such as litharge, red lead oxide, etc., as an acid-acceptor is effective. However, the use of such a lead compound is undesirable because of the problem of environmental pollution by toxicity of the lead compound. Reference is directed to DD-A-96 490. As the result of various investigations for obtaining vulcanized products having improved heat resistance, cold resistance, and water resistance under the aforesaid circumstances, the inventors have arrived at the present invention. It is desirable therefore, to provide a chlorosulfonated ethylene·α-olefin copolymer composition whose vulcanization product has improved heat resistance, cold resistance, and water resistance. The chlorosulfonated copolymer composition of this invention is particularly effective as a composition for rubber belts such as toothed belts, poly-V-belts, etc. Thus according to the present invention there is provided chlorosulfonated ethylene·α-olefin copolymer composition comprising (a) 100 parts by weight of a chlorosulfonated ethylene·α-olefin copolymer containing from 25 to 32% by weight chlorine and from 0.3 to 2.5% by weight sulfur, (b) from 1 to 4 parts by weight of a metal oxide or a metal hydroxide, (c) from 3 to 15 parts by weight of an epoxy compound, (d) from 0.5 to 5 parts by weight of a thiuram, and (e) from 0.5 to 5 parts by weight of a maleimide. For obtaining vulcanized products with improved heat resistance, cold resistance, and water resistance in this invention, it is important to use a specific combination of the specific components described above. That is, the chlorosulfonated ethylene·α-olefin copolymer composition contains components (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) described above as indispensable components. Preferably, the chlorosulfonated ethylene·α-olefin copolymer is generally a product obtained by chlorinating and chlorosulfonating an ethylene·α-olefin copolymer as the raw material. Suitable ethylene·α-olefin copolymers are, for example, an ethylene·butene-1 copolymer, an ethylene·propylene copolymer, an ethylene·hexene-1 copolymer, an ethylene·octene-1 copolymer, or an ethylene·4-methylpentene-1 copolymer. In the ethylene.α-olefin copolymer, the ratio of ethylene/α-olefin is desirably from 98/2 to 60/40. If the ratio is outside the aforesaid range, the desired cold resistance becomes unobtainable. A particularly preferred ethylene·α-olefin copolymer is a copolymer of ethylene and butene-1 having an ethylene/butene-1 ratio in the range of from 95/5 to 70/30. One the composition of ethylene and α-olefin as the raw materials for the copolymer is selected, the composition of ethylene and α-olefin is kept as it is in the chlorosulfonated ethylene·α-olefin copolymer obtained by chlorinating and chlorosulfonating the copolymer. On the other hand, the mole ratio of ethylene and butene-1 may be expressed by the number of ethyl groups per 1,000 carbon atoms. That is, the component ratio of a composition having an ethylene/butene-1 ratio of from 98/2 to 60/40 may be expressed as from 10 to 200 ethyl groups per 1,000 carbon atoms. The content of chlorine contained in the chlorosulfonated ethylene·α-olefin copolymer is preferably from 25 to 32% by weight. If the chlorine content is less than 25% by weight or over 32% by weight, the desired cold resistance is unobtainable for the copolymer composition. A particularly preferred chlorine content is from 28 to 31% by weight. The content of sulfur contained in the chlorosulfonated ethylene·α-olefin copolymer for use is a measure of showing the content of the group shown by -SO₂Cl acting as crosslinking sites and is preferably from 0.3 to 2.5% by weight, more preferably from 0.5 to 1.8% by weight. For synthesizing the chlorosulfonated ethylene·α-olefin copolymer, a method of reacting an ethylene·α-olefin copolymer as the raw material with chlorine and sulfur dioxide, chlorine and sulfuryl chloride or sulfuryl chloride alone using a radical generating agent as a catalyst is generally employed. For performing the aforesaid reaction, an homogeneous system of performing the reaction in a solution of the reactants may be used, a heterogeneous system of performing the reaction in a suspension may be used, and a heterogeneous system of performing the reaction in a gaseous phase may be used. The homogeneous system of performing the reaction in a solution of an ethylene·α-olefin copolymer as a raw material dissolved in a solvent gives the chlorosulfonated ethylene·α-olefin copolymer improved the heat resistance and cold resistance and, hence, is preferably used in this invention. In this case, a solvent inert for the halogenation reaction, such as carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, monochlorobenzene, tetrachloroethane, etc., is used as the solvent. According to a process aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for the preparation of a chlorosulfonated copolymer composition which process comprises adding (b) from 1 to 4 parts by weight of a metal oxide or a metal hydroxide, (c) from 3 to 15 parts by weight of an epoxy compound, (d) from 0.5 to 5 parts by weight of a thiuram, and (e) from 0.5 to 5 parts by weight of a maleimide to (a) 100 parts by weight of a chlorosulfonated ethylene·α-olefin copolymer containing from 25 to 32% by weight chlorine and from 0.3 to 2.5% by weight sulfur. A metal oxide or metal hydroxide is generally used as an acid-acceptor at the vulcanization of a chlorosulfonated polymer, and examples thereof are magnesia, calcium oxide, and calcium hydroxide. On the other hand, the metal oxide or metal hydroxide increases the acid-accepting effect in cooperation with an epoxy compound. The metal oxide or metal hydroxide is added in an amount of from 1 to 4 parts by weight. If the addition amount thereof is less than 1 part by weight, a sufficient acid-accepting effect is not obtained; and if the amount is over 4 parts by weight, sufficient water resistance cannot be obtained. A preferred addition amount thereof is from 2 to 3 parts by weight. The addition of an epoxy compound is particularly important for increasing the water resistance of the vulcanized product. Suitable epoxy compounds, include Epikote® 828, 825, 834, 807, 152, 154, 871, 872, 190P, 191P, and 604 (trade names, made by Yuka Shell Epoxy Co.). The epoxy compound is used in an amount of from 3 to 15 parts by weight. If the amount thereof is less than 3 parts by weight, sufficient water resistance is not obtained, while if the amount is over 15 parts by weight, the heat resistance of the vulcanized product is reduced. A preferred addition amount thereof is from 8 to 12 parts by weight. A thiuram is generally known as a vulcanization accelerator. Suitable examples thereof are dipentamethylenethiuram tetrasulfide (TRA), tetramethylthiuram monosulfide (TS), tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TT or TMTD), and tetraethylthiuram disulfide (TET). The thiuram is used in an amount of from 0.5 to 5 parts by weight. If the amount is less than the aforesaid range, the vulcanization speed and the vulcanization density are not increased, while if the amount is larger than the range, the water resistance is reduced. The amount thereof is preferably from 1 to 3 parts by weight. A maleimide is used as a vulcanization accelerator or an antioxidant, and a suitable example thereof is N,N′-m-phenylenedimaleimide. The maleimide is also commercially available as Vulnoc® PM or HVA-2. The maleimide is used in an amount of from 0.5 to 5 parts by weight and is preferably from 1 to 3 parts by weight for increasing the heat resistance. The chlorosulfonated ethylene·α-olefin copolymer is vulcanized by the coaction of the metal oxide or metal hydroxide, epoxy compound, thiuram, and maleimide. The vulcanization mechanism has not yet been clarified, but the important matter in this invention is that the aforesaid improvement can be attained by a specific combination in this invention. The polymer composition of this invention may, if necessary, further contain other ordinary rubber compounding ingredients such as a reinforcing agent, a filler, a plasticizer, an antioxidant, a processing aid, etc., in addition to aforesaid indispensable components (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e). Suitable reinforcing agents and fillers, include for example, carbon black, white carbon, calcium carbonate, clay, talc, and titanium oxide. Suitable plasticizers include for example, various oils, esters, and chlorinated paraffins. Suitable antioxidants include for example, nickel dibutyldithiocarbamate (NBC), amine compounds, and phenolic compounds. Suitable processing aids, include for example, low molecular weight polyethylene and metal soaps. In addition, as described above, in this invention, the improvement can be attained by the proper vulcanization of a chlorosulfonated ethylene·α-olefin copolymer. Therefore, in the case of using materials directly giving influences on the vulcanization, such as a vulcanizing agent and a vulcanization accelerator together with the aforesaid indispensable components in this invention, the addition amount, the kind, etc., thereof must be carefully selected. For example, when a vulcanizing agent or a vulcanization accelerator is used together with the aforesaid components, the addition amount thereof must be less than 3 parts by weight. The chlorosulfonated copolymer composition of this invention may be obtained by compounding the aforesaid components by an internal mixer such as a Banbury mixer and an inter mixer or an ordinary rubber mixer such as an open roll mill, etc. The composition thus obtained may be vulcanized by press vulcanization, steam vulcanization, ultra high frequency (UHF) vulcanization, hot air vulcanization, etc., to provide vulcanized products. The following examples are intended to illustrate the present invention more practically but not to limit it in any way. In addition, the values used in these examples were obtained according to the following measurement methods. Mole ratio of ethylene to butene-1: Analyzed by ¹³C-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) Melt index: JIS K 7210 Density: JIS K 7112 Mooney viscosity (ML₁+₄, 100°C): JIS K 6300 Vulcanized rubber property: JIS K 6301. In addition, the chlorosulfonated ethylene·butene-1 copolymers used in these examples were prepared as follows. Chlorosulfonated copolymer used in Examples 1, 4, and 5 and Comparison Examples 1, 2, and 4 After dissolving 3360 g of an ethylene·butene-1 copolymer (melt index: 4 g/10 min., density: 0.89 g/cc) composed of 91.7 mole% ethylene and 8.3 mole% butene-1 in carbon tetrachloride, the copolymer was reacted with 5620 g of sulfuryl chloride with the addition of 12 g of α,α′-azobisisobutyronitrile as a radical generating agent and 0.25 g of pyridine as a promoter. After the reaction was over, acid components remaining in the solution were removed, and then 17 g of 2,2′-bis(4-glycidyloxyphenyl)propane was added thereto. Then, the solution was fed to a drum dryer by an ordinary manner to separate the product from the solvent. The result of the analysis of the chlorosulfonated ethylene·butene-1 copolymer thus obtained showed that the copolymer contained 30.1% by weight of chlorine and 1.02% by weight sulfur. The Mooney viscosity (ML₁+₄, 100°C) was 58. The chlorosulfonated copolymer was defined as A-1. Chlorosulfonated copolymer used in Example 2 By following the same procedure as above except that the following ethylene·butene-1 copolymer was used as the raw material, a chlorosulfonated copolymer was obtained. Ethylene·butene-1 copolymer: Ratio of ethylene/butene-1: 92.3/7.7 Melt index: 3 g/10 min. Density: 0.89 g/cc. The result of the analysis of the chlorosulfonated ethylene·butene-1 copolymer thus obtained showed that the copolymer contained 30.0% by weight of chlorine and 0.99% by weight sulfur. The Mooney viscosity (ML₁+₄, 100°C) thereof was 65. The chlorosulfonated copolymer was defined as A-2. Chlorosulfonated copolymer used in Example 3 By following the same procedure as above except that the following ethylene·butene-1 copolymer was used as the raw material, a chlorosulfonated copolymer was obtained. Ethylene·butene-1 copolymer: Ratio of ethylene/butene-1: 92.3/7.7 Melt index: 8 g/10 min. Density: 0.89 g/cc. The result of the analysis of the chlorosulfonated ethylene·butene-1 copolymer thus obtained showed that the copolymer contained 30.0% by weight chlorine and 1.01% by weight sulfur. The Mooney viscosity (ML₁+₄, 100°C) was 44. The chlorosulfonated copolymer was defined as A-3. EXAMPLES 1 TO 5 AND COMPARISON EXAMPLES 1 TO 4 The compounding ingredients shown in Table 1 below were kneaded by means of an open roll mill and then vulcanized for 40 minutes at 150°C to provide each vulcanized sheet. Thereafter, the properties of the vulcanized products were measured, and the results obtained are shown in Table 1 below. In addition, of the cold resistance, a Gehman torsion test was used. As shown in the above table, the chlorosulfonated ethylene·α-olefin copolymer compositions in Examples 1 to 5 of this invention give vulcanized products having improved heat resistance, cold resistance, and water resistance. On the other hand, the chlorosulfonated copolymer composition without using epoxy compound in Comparison Example 1 gives the vulcanized product thereof without having desired water resistance. Also, the chlorosulfonated copolymer composition in Comparison Example 2 gives the vulcanized product thereof inferior in heat resistance owing to lacking in a maleimide. Furthermore, the chlorosulfonated copolymer composition in Comparison Example 3 using Hypalon® (chlorosulfonated polyethylene) in place of a chlorosulfonated ethylene·α-olefin copolymer gives the vulcanized product without having desired cold resistance. Also, the chlorosulfonated copolymer composition in Comparison Example 4 using 8 parts by weight of magnesia, i.e., over the addition amount of a metal oxide defined in this invention gives the vulcanized product without having desired water resistance. Thus, it is clear from these examples and comparison examples that the chlorosulfonated ethylene·α-olefin copolymer composition of this invention can provide a vulcanized product with improved heat resistance, cold resistance and water resistance. The chlorosulfonated copolymer composition of this invention is thus particularly useful as materials for making rubber belts such as toothed belts, poly-V-belts, etc. Furthermore, the chlorosulfonated copolymer composition of this invention can be also applied in other fields of requiring heat resistance, cold resistance, and water resistance, such as sheets, coating materials for cables, hoses, etc.

Claims: A chlorosulfonated ethylene.alpha-olefin copolymer composition characterised in that it comprises (a) 100 parts by weight of a chlorosulfonated ethylene.alpha-olefin copolymer containing from 25 to 32% by weight chlorine and from 0.3 to 2.5% by weight sulfur, (b) from 1 to 4 parts by weight of a metal oxide or a metal hydroxide, (c) from 3 to 15 parts by eight of an epoxy compound, (d) from 0.5 to 5 parts by weight of a thiuram, and (e) from 0.5 to 5 parts by weight of a maleimide. A chlorosulfonated copolymer composition according to claim 1, characterised in that the chlorinated ethylene.alpha-olefin copolymer is obtained by chlorinating and chlorosulfonating an ethylene.alpha-olefin copolymer. A chlorosulfonated copolymer composition according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that the ratio of ethylene/alpha-olefin in the ethylene.alpha-olefin copolymer is from 98/2 to 60/40. A chlorosulfonated copolymer composition according to claim 3 characterised in that the ratio of ethylene/alpha-olefin is from 95/5 to 70/30. A chlorosulfonated copolymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the ethylene.alpha-olefin copolymer is an ethylene.butene-1 copolymer. A chlorosulfonated copolymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the metal oxide is magnesia or calcium oxide. A chlorosulfonated copolymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the metal hydroxide is calcium hydroxide. A chlorosulfonated polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the chlorosulfonated ethylene.alpha-olefin copolymer contains from 28 to 31% by weight chlorine. A chlorosulfonated copolymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the chlorosulfonated ethylene.alpha-olefin copolymer contains from 0.5 to 1.8% by weight sulfur. A process for the preparation of a chlorosulfonated copolymer composition which process comprises adding (b) from 1 to 4 parts by weight of a metal oxide or a metal hydroxide, (c) from 3 to 15 parts by weight of an epoxy compound, (d) from 0.5 to 5 parts by weight of a thiuram, and (e) from 0.5 to 5 parts by weight of a maleimide to (a) 100 parts by weight of a chlorosulfonated ethylene.alpha-olefin copolymer containing from 25 to 32% by weight chlorine and from 0.3 to 2.5% by weight sulfur.

Inventors: ISHIDA, YOSHIAKI, KANESAKA, JUNICHIRO, KANESHIGUE, YOSUKI, NAKAGAWA, TATSUSHI
Applicants: TOSOH CORPORATION
Application year: 1988
Main classification: C08F8
IPC codes: C08K13, C08K5, F16G1, C08L23, C08K3, C08L63