EXTRUDED SILICONE GEL PROFILES

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of making simple or complex extruded gel profiles and the created article. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the method involves the extrusion of a silicone gel composition through a die into a heated fluid to complete the cure of the gel as well as to produce the desired gel profile shape. Shapes such as stars, trapezoids, cusped squares, cusped triangle, triangles and the like can be fabricated according to the method.

Description: EXTRUDED SILICONE GEL PROFILES Technical Field ofthe Invention This invention relates to a method of extruding simple or complex shaped soft silicone gel articles and articles so made. Background ofthe Invention Silicone based materials range from silicone oils to hard Shore A durometer rated silicone rubbers. Among the softer ones are silicone gels, which are so soft they are below the measurement range of the Shore A durometer, but may be characterized by cone penetration (ASTM D217) or Voland hardness. Silicone gels generally have Voland hardness of about 1 to 25 grams and elongations greater than 300 %, or even 500 %. They can be made in a number of ways. One method synthesizes crosslinked silicone in the presence of an extender fluid (or diluent), e.g. a non-reactive silicone oil or an excess of a vinyl-rich liquid silicone compound, to create a soft fluid-extended system. Alternatively, silicone gels can be fabricated from mixtures of vinyl-containing polysiloxanes and hydride-containing polysiloxanes. Suitable examples of both types of gels are taught in US 4,600,261; US 4,634,207; US 5,140,746; US 5,357,057; US 5,079,300; US 4,777,063; US 5,257,058; and US 3,020,260; incorporated herein by reference. US 4,824,616 ('616 patent) teaches making elastomer-skinned silicone gel particles by a two-step process involving (a) delivery of a silicone based material through a nozzle kept at very low temperature into a heated water bath optionally including a surfactant and (b) forming an elastomeric layer on the surface ofthe silicone gel particle. The '616 patent mentions but does not exemplify that it is possible to crosslink the surface of a silicone gel particle by passing it through a solution of organohydrogenpolysiloxane in a heat transfer medium, such as a silicone fluid. US 5,124,090 ('090 patent) teaches making silicone gel spheres by the delivery of a silicone based material through a nozzle kept at very low temperature into a heated water bath optionally including a surfactant. The need to maintain a low viscosity of the mixed precursor materials in the '616 and '090 patents requires mixing and storage temperatures of -60°C to +5 °C and preferably _ -10 °C. However, no teaching is given which indicates that angular complex shapes, as opposed to simple filament-like shapes, can be extruded. Neither of these patents teaches the benefits of utilizing a higher temperature heat transfer medium, e.g. silicone oil, which enhances the processability and the rate of article formation. Most notably absent is an appreciation of the benefits of handling tacky gels through the use of a heated silicone oil bath. Additionally, there is no recognition of the need for higher viscosities to create complex extruded shapes or how to achieve higher viscosities through the use of accelerators such as a catalyst and/or an increase in the reaction temperature, or the addition of fillers, or combinations thereof. US 4,783,289 ('289 patent) teaches a process for molding silicone rubber compositions. Whereas the hardness of the products of the present invention is below the measurement limits ofthe Type A Shore Durometer, the hardness ofthe products described there is readily measurable using such an apparatus. The tensile strength of the products exemplified in the '289 patent ranges between 560 and 1,420 psi and the elongation-to- break ranges between 60 and 700 %. The elongation of articles described there increases with tensile strength. For example, an article with a tensile strength of 560 psi has 60 % elongation, whereas an article with a tensile strength of 1,420 psi has 600 % elongation. In contrast, products of the present invention have a tensile strength less than 20 psi, preferably less than 10 psi, and most preferably less than 5 psi, and an elongation-to-break greater than 300 % and often substantially greater than 500 %, e.g., greater than 1,000 % even at tensile strengths less than 5 psi. In general, the products ofthe present invention are mechanically less robust than those described in the '289 patent. Forming substantially continuous shaped articles from such delicate materials of the present invention presents unique problems. Thus, it is highly desirable to have a method which can create simple or complex shapes at a high rate and on a continuous basis for low cost commercial operations. In addition, it is desirable to use a heated fluid, e.g. a silicone oil bath, to permit optimization of the surface properties of the resulting gel product. Addition of additives to the heat transfer medium would also permit one to tailor the surface properties of the final article, for example by an optional final skinning operation, and the like. Summary ofthe Invention This invention provides a method of making simple or complex extruded soft silicone gel profiles and articles so made. In a preferred embodiment, a silicone gel precursor mixture is extruded through a die into a heated fluid to complete the cure of the gel and produce the desired shaped article. The viscosity and cure rate of the mixture, the length and temperature of the die, and the speed of extrusion are adjusted so that the extruded article substantially assumes the die shape. Preferred viscosity at the die exit is at least 2,000 cSt (at the die temperature) and the die temperature preferably is greater than 25 °C. If a lower viscosity mixture is used, then premixing and/or preheating of the mixture and/or gel precursors needs to take place before extrusion. Consequently, higher viscosity precursors and faster material cure rates permit higher throughputs. The method involves extruding a viscous silicone gel composition through a suitably shaped die into a heated medium, e.g. silicone oil, at a temperature in excess of about 85 °C. Optionally the heated medium can contain additives such as benzophenone, additional reactive precursors, colorants, fillers, and the like to permit further processing of the extruded form. The residence time within the heated medium is adjusted such that a handleable form is extracted therefrom. A particular embodiment involves circulation of the heated medium. Finally, the invention involves using cure rate accelerators which permit utilization of normally low viscosity, slow curing silicone systems such as those disclosed in US 4,783,289; US 4,824,616; and US 5,124,090; incorporated herein by reference. Brief Description ofthe Drawing(s) Figure 1 illustrates a method for carrying out the invention utilizing a laminar flow of silicone oil and a static mixer. Figure 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention optionally including the extrusion around a solid carrier. Figure 3 illustrates particularly preferred cross sections for the extruded profile gel of Figures 1 and 2. Figures 4a through 4c illustrate the procedure for determining Voland profile hard¬ ness, Voland profile stress relaxation, and Voland profile tack of an extruded gel article. Description ofthe Preferred Embodiments The invention will now be described with respect to the particularly preferred embodiments. The method involves using a silicone gel material as described in US 4,600,261; US 5,079,300; US 3,020,260; US 4,783,289; US 5,124,090; incorporated herein by reference. The preferred silicone gel materials are mixtures of unsaturated silicones such as a polyvinyl-containing silicones mixed with hydride-rich silicones curable in the presence of a catalyst to create the extruded, crosslinked silicone gel forms of the invention. Preferred silicone gel materials include mixtures of a first silicone component (a) which is (R , R 2 2 SiO 0 . 5 )(R 1 R 2 SiO) a (R 2 2 SiO) b (R 1 R 2 2 SiOo. 5 ) (I) (R 2 3 SiO 0 . 5 )(R 1 R 2 SiO) c (R 2 2 SiO) d (R 2 3 SiO 0 . 5 ) (II) or combinations thereof, in which R is selected from the group consisting of vinyl, allyl, hexenyl and combinations thereof, R is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, higher alkyl, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl, phenyl and combinations thereof; and a second silicone component (b) which is (R 3 R 2 2 SiO 05 )(R 3 R 2 SiO) e (R 2 2 SiO) f (R 3 R 2 SiO 0.5 ) (III) (R 3 SiO 0 . 5 )(R 3 R 2 SiO) g (R 2 2 SiO) h (R 2 3 SiOo .5 ) (IV) (R 3 R 2 2 SiO 0 . 5 ) 4 SiO 2 (V) or combinations thereof, in which R is hydrogen and R is as defined above. The subscripts a-h above are chosen such that the cured silicone gel material, with or without the addition of an extender fluid, exhibits a Voland hardness of between 6 and 225 grams, a Voland tack of between about 1 and 75 grams, and a Voland stress relaxation ofabout l0 to 95 %. Preferably the silicone gel materials consist of a mixture of a multiply vinyl-func- tionalized poly(dimethylsiloxane) having a viscosity between about 10,000 and about 500,000 cSt with a hydride-functionalized silicone species having a molecular weight between about 300 to about 60,000 and having about 3 to about 20, and preferably 3 to 6 reactive hydride sites per molecule, a suitable catalyst such as a platinum-vinyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane complex and a non-functionalized trimethylsiloxy-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) as an extender fluid, with a viscosity of from about 25 cSt to about 250,000 cSt. The weight proportion of first component (a) to second component (b) depends on their relative content of alkenyl and hydride groups, but preferably is between 3000:1 and 10:1. There is an interactive effect between the catalyst level, viscosity and temperature of the mix, as well as the temperature ofthe extrusion head and the heated bath, but a viscosity ofthe material at the extrusion head (i.e. when exiting the die) should be greater than about 2,000 cSt, preferably greater than about 10,000 cSt, and up to just below a viscosity that cannot be extruded through the die and substantially take the shape of the die. (Herein, references to the viscosity of a fluid are to viscosities measured at 25 °C, except for viscosities stated to be at the extrusion head or die head, or like context, which are measured at the die temperature.) More specifically preferred components of the material will utilize a trimethyl¬ siloxy-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) as a diluent in the amount of from about 0 to 90 wt %. The diluent preferably has viscosity of between 25 and 250,000 cSt, more preferably between about 50 and about 100,000 cSt. The active vinyl-containing silicone is a divinyl- terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (compound I in which R is vinyl, R is methyl and a is 0) having a viscosity of from about 10,000 to about 500,000 cSt and is present in the amount from about 99 to about 10 wt %. About 3 to about 1,000 ppm platinum catalyst is utilized, and depending upon the cure rate, an inhibitor of from 0 to 250 parts is utilized. A multi-functional hydride-containing silicone (e.g. compounds III-V) in an amount of from about 0.08 wt % to about 0.1 wt % is added to provide a gel material having a Voland hardness of about 6 to 225 grams, a Voland tack of about 1 to 75 grams and a Voland stress relaxation of about 10-95%. More preferably, the silicone gel material consists of a divinyl-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) having a viscosity of from about 50,000 to 175,000 cSt and is present in an amount from about 30 to 70 wt % in a diluent whose viscosity is from about 40 to 12,500 cSt and which is present in an amount from about 70 to 30 wt %. The platinum catalyst is present in an amount from about 5 to 100 ppm with an inhibitor in an amount from about 0 to 100 ppm and tetrafunctional hydride-containing silicone (e.g. compound V) in an amount from about 0.085 to 0.095 wt % to provide a gel material having Voland hardness of about 8 to 180 grams, Voland tack of about 2 to 70 grams and Voland stress relaxation of greater than about 10 %. A particularly preferred silicone gel composition consists of about 45 wt % divinyl- terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) having a viscosity from about 72,000 to about 90,000 cSt, a trimethylsiloxy-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) diluent having a viscosity from about 50 to about 5,000 cSt and present in an amount of about 55 wt %, about 10 ppm platinum catalyst and about 0.09 wt % tetrafunctional hydride-containing silicone (e.g. compound V in which R is methyl). This particularly preferred material produces an extruded gel article having a Voland profile hardness (VPH) between about 40 to 80 grams, Voland profile tack (VPT) between about 5 and 50 grams and Voland profile stress relaxation (VPSR) greater than about 10 %. In a particularly preferred embodiment the reactivities of the vinyl- and hydride- containing silicones are selected such that the crossover point, as measured using a parallel plate rheometer, occurs between 60 seconds and several hours. The crossover point is the time, following introduction of the pre-cured gel composition into the rheometer, at which the elastic modulus G', becomes equal to the loss modulus G". In many cases the crossover point is reached almost instantaneously, within several seconds or less, at temperatures greater than about 80 °C. The formulation is preferably originally fabricated to be able to absorb compatible fluids. Upon extrusion into a silicone oil bath at elevated temperature, the extruded product adsorbs silicone oil, rendering it easy to handle. Upon standing, the surface-bound silicone oil is absorbed into the final article, revealing a tacky sealing surface. The hardness ofthe gel in the bulk, or as profile, can vary from about 6 to about 225 grams with a tack between greater than about 1 gram and less than about 75 grams, preferably about 5 to about 45 grams, and exhibits elongation substantially greater than 200 %, preferably greater than 500 % with stress relaxation of greater than 10 %. A preferred range of hardness is from about 6 grams to about 180 grams, a tack of from about 10 grams to about 35 grams. Additionally, the elongation of the gel is greater than about 200 %, preferably greater than about 400 %, most preferably greater than about 750 %. The elongation is measured according to the procedures of ASTM D638. The extruded profiles of this invention can be used to seal between two objects for example between the body of a head lamp and the head lamp lens, between a cover and a box, between two pipes, between flat plates, and the like. The conformability and high elongation of the extruded materials permit the facile sealing of delicate three dimensional surfaces which cannot be done with harder silicone rubbers. The extruded silicone gel article of the present invention is readily characterized using a Voland-Stevens texture analyzer model LFRA, Texture Technologies Texture Analyzer TA-XT2, or like machine (Figures 4a-c), with a 5 kg load cell to measure force, a 0.5 gram trigger, and a polished cylindrical probe 5010 (1/4 inch diameter x 1 inch in length) whose axis is parallel to the base 5030 of the analyzer. A specimen of extruded gel profile 5050, preferably with a square cross-section (5 mm x 5 mm) and 5 cm long, is placed on the holder 5020 illustrated in Figure 4a. The holder and specimen are placed beneath the probe of the Texture Analyzer so that the axis of the cylindrical probe is perpendicular to the axis ofthe specimen. The probe is lowered towards the profile at a rate of 2 mm/sec. When the trigger point, 0.5 gram, is exceeded the probe is depressed 2 mm further into the test specimen and the resulting force (F j ', VPH) is recorded. The probe is then maintained at that depth for 60 sec at which time the force remaining on the probe is recorded (F f '). The VPSR is calculated as [(Fj'- F f ')/ Fj'] x 100 %. The probe is raised at a rate of 2 mm/sec and the force required to disbond the probe from the specimen is recorded as the VPT. The ratio VPT/VPH is useful in characterizing the articles of the present invention. Ratios VPT/VPH from greater than zero to about 20 and preferably from about 0.01 to about 15.0, and most preferably from about 0.10 to about 10.0 exemplify preferred materials of the invention. When measured according to this technique, the extruded gel profiles have hardness of from about 1 g to about 150 g preferably about 5 g to about lOOg, and most preferably 15 to 80 g. Voland profile tack ranges measured on an article of the present invention are similar to the Voland tack ranges measured on the bulk silicone materials measured as described below. An article prepared as described in Example 1 has VPH 47.5 grams, VPT 23.6 g, and VPSR 32%, and a ratio VPT/VPH of 0.49. An article produced as described in Example 2 has VPH 79.1 g, VPT 11 g, VPSR 17%, and a ratio VPT/VPH of 0.14. As a comparison, the measurements for a soft silicone rubber (identified as 30.126, HiTech Rubber) exhibits VPH of 1890 g , VPT of 0 g, VPSR of 17%, and a ratio of VPT/VPH of 0; soft silicone rubber (identified as 6030, HiTech Rubber) exhibits VPH of 1912 g, VPT of 0 g, VPSR of 15% and a ratio of VPT/VPH of 0; and soft silicone rubber (identified as 1949-20, HiTech Rubber) exhibits VPH of 2110 g, VPT of 0 g, VPSR of 17%, and a ratio of VPT/VPH of 0. These silicone rubbers are products of the HiTech Rubber Company, Orange County, California. Alternately, the Voland hardness, stress relaxation, and tack of bulk silicone gel materials ofthe present invention can be measured using a Voland-Stevens texture analyzer model LFRA, Texture Technologies Texture Analyzer TA-XT2, or like machines, having a 5 kg load cell to measure force, a 5 gram trigger, and a 1/4 (6.35 mm) inch diameter, preferably stainless steel ball probe as described in US 5,079,300, incorporated herein by reference. For measuring the Voland hardness of a gel, a 20 mL glass vial with about 13 grams of gel is placed in the TA-XT2 Analyzer and the ball probe is forced into the gel at a speed of 0.2 mm/sec to a penetration distance of 4.0 mm. The data is analyzed on an IBM PC, or like computer, running Microsystems Ltd, XT.RA Dimension Version 2.3 software. The Voland hardness ofthe gel is the force in grams required to force the ball probe at that speed to penetrate or deform the surface of the gel for 4.0 mm. Higher numbers signify harder gels. Tack and stress relaxation are read from the stress curve generated when the software automatically traces the force versus time curve experienced by the load cell when the penetration speed is 2.0 mm/sec and the stainless steel ball probe is forced into the gel a penetration distance of about 4.0 mm. Thereafter, the stainless steel probe is held at 4.0 mm penetration for 1 minute and withdrawn at a speed of 2.0 mm sec. The stress relaxation is the ratio ofthe initial force (F j ) resisting the probe at the pre-set penetration depth minus the force resisting the probe (F f ) after 1 min divided by F i5 expressed as a percentage. Specifically, stress relaxation as a percent is equal to [(F r F f )/Fi)] x 100. In other words the stress relaxation is the ratio ofthe initial force minus the force after 1 minute divided by the initial force. The stress relaxation number is a measure ofthe ability ofthe gel to relax any induced compression placed on the gel. The tack is the amount of force in grams resisting the probe as it is pulled out of the after the one minute at a speed of 2.0 mm/sec from the preset penetration depth. Another way to characterize the gels is by cone penetration according to ASTM D- 217 as taught in US 4,600,261; US 4,634,207; US 5,140,746; and US 5,357,057; incor¬ porated herein by reference. Cone penetration (CP) ranges are from about 70 (10 "1 mm) to about 400 (10 '1 mm). Harder gels are preferably from about 70 (10 "1 mm) to about 120 (10 '1 mm). Softer gels, preferably used to seal terminals, wire splices, and the like, are from about 200 (10 " ' mm) to 400 (10 "1 mm) with a particularly preferred range of from about 250 (10 "1 mm) to about 375 (10 "1 mm). For a particular materials system a relationship between CP and Voland gram hardness can be developed as taught in US 4,852,646. The process is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and comprises mixing the components in a static mixture and forcing them through a die to create a preferred cross-sectional shape such as a circle, a triangle, a cusped square, a square, a trapezoid, a rectangle, a star and the like with the material being injected into a heat transfer medium, e.g. a silicone oil, maintained at from about 80 °C to about 175 °C, preferably about 140 °C. Particularly preferred shapes are illustrated in Figure 3. An advantage of this method is the fact that the mixture cures very rapidly, in a few seconds or less, in the heated oil bath while providing acceptable pot life in the static mixer. When the heat transfer medium is a lower boiling point liquid such as water, the throughput is lower and the mixture of A and B must have higher viscosity in the die to substantially assume the die shape. This can be achieved by preheating gel precursors before mixing, mixing gel constituents prior to extruding, addition of an appropriate filler, or a combination thereof. More specifically with respect to the method ofthe invention, particular reference is made to Figure 1. The apparatus is illustrated as 100. The apparatus includes a source 10a for part A, such as that containing the vinyl-containing silicone species and the platinum catalyst, and a source 10b for Part B, such as that containing the vinyl-containing silicone species, the inhibitor and the crosslinker, e.g. compound V. These materials are pumped via a dispensing system 12 into a mixing element 14, such as a static mixer, which completely intermixes the parts A and B. Thereafter the viscosity of the mixture increases as it moves through the mixing element 14 and is forced through a die 16 having the desired shape necessary to produce the desired final extruded silicone profile 1,000. The die is at least partially and preferably completely contained in container 18, as illustrated, which includes the heat transfer fluid, e.g. silicone oil 20, preferably flowing in the direction indicated by the arrow using pump 22. The silicone oil preferably circulates substantially parallel with the extruded profile. In some cases the silicone oil may flow counter current, or peφendicular to the extrusion direction of the gel profile. The temperature of the heated silicone oil 20 is adjusted by having the circulation heater 24 in series with the pump and the oil bath container 18. A transfer belt assembly 26 assists in moving the extruded silicone gel form 1000 out ofthe die and through the heated silicone oil. The profile is then taken up on spool 28. The time in the heat transfer fluid is sufficient to substantially complete the curing process so that the gel form substantially assumes the die shape. Suitable times are from three seconds to five minutes or more and preferably about five seconds to two minutes. An alternative body is illustrated as 200 in Figure 2. Items carried over from Figure 1 which are the same are numbered identically except for the inclusion ofthe 200 's digit in front of the elements. This embodiment differs in that the extruded form 2002 is extruded through the die 216 which has passing therethrough a solid carrier 2001 removed from a carrier spool 240. Preferably the carrier is a substantially non-elongatable core member selected from the group consisting of polymer fibers, glass fibers, carbon fibers, metallic fibers, ceramic fibers, open cell foams, and combinations or mixtures thereof. In addition, the carrier may be comprised of bundles of fibers. In this embodiment the gel is drawn from the bath using caterpillar puller 226a and hence taken up on a take-up spool. The core member provides an anchoring site for the silicone gel, permitting faster pull speeds and preventing the silicone gel form from being stretched beyond its elongation limits and breaking. Preferably, the core member constitutes about 1/2 % to about 99 % of the cross- sectional area ofthe extruded gel form. Samples having nominal diameters across the shape at the narrowest point of from about 0.2 mm up to about 20 mm or greater can be created by the method. To maintain an adequate pull speed of about 1 cm/sec to about 150 cm/sec, preferably about 5 cm/sec to 75 cm/sec, the oil bath temperature should be increased as the cross sectional size of the material increases to effect a faster cure rate of the system as a whole. A particularly preferred method involves the static mixing and dispensing ofthe gel through a suitable die into a silicone oil. The oil is preferably heated to a temperature in excess of 100 °C and preferably between 100 °C and 200 °C or just below the diluent oil's flash point. A particularly preferred range is about 125 °C to about 175 °C. Of course, the optimum temperature is a function of the reactants and their reactivity, the cross sectional area of the extruded part and the rate of profile extrusion. The larger the nominal cross-section, the higher the temperature ofthe oil bath required to effect a satisfactory cure. To vary the properties of the resulting article, the fluid into which the product is extruded can have a molecular weight, and/or properties, which differ from the extender fluid in the Parts A and B which are the basis for the silicone gel material. Additionally, the heat transfer fluid can contain additives such as benzophenone and the like, such that a final UV irradiation step will lightly skin the surface to create a less tacky material. Alternately, the tack ofthe final product may be altered by lightly coating it with a powdered substance, for example talc or powdered polytetrafluoroethylene, or the like. The following specific Examples and Comparative Examples illustrate the benefits ofthe particularly preferred embodiments ofthe invention. Example 1 The following formulations were prepared: Part A (1) 54.92 wt% 5000 cSt trimethylsiloxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (2) 45.00 wt % \ 80,000 cSt divinyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (3) 0.083 wt % Pt catalyst PC075 (United Chemical Technology, containing about 2 wt % platinum) Part B (1) 55.0 wt % 5,000 cSt trimethylsiloxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (2) 44.819 wt % 80,000 cSt divinyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (3) 0.181 wt % tetrakis(dimethylsiloxy)silane A mixture of equal parts of A and B had a viscosity of about 13,000 cSt. Equal parts of parts A and B were mixed at room temperature (about 25 °C) and extruded through a 6 mm diameter die into hot silicone oil (50 cSt trimethylsiloxy- terminated polydimethylsiloxane) at 135 °C. The residence time of the extrudate in the heating bath was approximately 10 seconds. The speed ofthe extrusion was 30 cm sec and the resulting profile had a uniform 6 mm diameter. The extruded gel profile had a VPH of 47.5 g, VPT of 23.6 g, VPSR of 32%, and VPT/VPH ratio of 0.49. Example 2 A formulation containing: Part A (1) 54.92 wt % 12,500 cSt trimethylsiloxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (2) 45.00 wt % 80,000 cSt divinyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (3) 0.083 wt % Pt catalyst PC075 Part B (1) 55.0 wt % 12,500 cSt trimethylsiloxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (2) 44.819 wt % 80,000 cSt divinyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (3) 0.181 wt % tetrakis(dimethylsiloxy)silane Equal parts of A and B were mixed at room temperature and extruded through a star shaped die (Fig. 3) into a silicone oil bath (50 cSt trimethylsiloxy-terrninated polydimethyl¬ siloxane) maintained at 135 °C. The residence time of the extrudate in the oil bath was approximately 10 seconds and the speed of extrusion was approximately 25 cm/sec. The extruded profile had a square cross-section and possessed sharp comers and had a VPH of 79. lg , VPT of 1 lg, VPSR of 17 % and a ratio VPT/VPH of 0.14. Example 3 The formulation from Example 1 in US 4,824,616 was prepared as follows: Part A (1) 30 parts 1,000 cSt dimethy lvinylsiloxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PS 443 Huls America Inc.) (2) 70 parts 1,000 cSt dimethylvinylsiloxy-terminated dimethylsiloxane- methylvinylsiloxane copolymer (VDV-0131, Gelest, Inc.) (3) 1.5 parts 5 cSt trimethylsiloxy-terminated methylhydrogenpolysiloxane (PSI 18, Huls America Inc.) Part B (1) 30 parts 1,000 cSt dimethylvinylsiloxy-terminated polydimethylpolysiloxane (PS 443 Huls America Inc.) (2) 70 parts 1,000 cSt dimethylvinylsiloxy-terminated dimethylsiloxane- methylvinylsiloxane copolymer (VDV-0131, Gelest, Inc.) (3) 0.6 part isopropanolic chloroplatinic acid (platinum metal content 3 wt %) Equal amounts of parts A and B (both at room temperature prior to mixing) were passed through a static mixer and thereafter through a 1.5 mm diameter die into a water bath at 80 °C. Two runs were conducted. In one, the water contained 0.25 wt% Tergitol TMN-6 surfactant and in the other it did not. In both runs the silicone extrudate dispersed on the surface of the water and cured into irregularly shaped droplets. In contrast, when equal amounts of parts A and B (individually preheated to 90 °C prior to mixing) were passed through the static mixer and then into hot silicone oil at 135 °C through a 1.5 mm diameter die, a continuous, regularly shaped profile with a diameter of 1.5 mm was obtained. Example 4 Equal amounts of parts A and B (as described in Example 1) were mixed in static mixer and extruded through die (diameter 6 mm) into poly(propylene glycol) average MW 1,000, heated to 135 °C. The extruded profile had uniform diameter and good appearance. Example 5 Parts A and B of Shin Etsu FE-56 fluorosilicone gel, were mixed with 2.25 wt% Cabosil HS-5 (Cabot Corporation) at room temperature. After waiting one hour, the semi- cured mixture was extruded through a 1 mm die into a heated silicone oil bath at 135 °C. The extruded profile had a uniform 1 mm diameter cross-section. The profile was kept in isopropyl alcohol for 2 months and retained its original shape, surface tack, and elongation. Example 6 The same formulation as in Example 2 was extruded into an aqueous bath at 85 °C (as taught in US 5,124,090) using the same die. The extruded profile did not have a square cross section and was irregular. Comparative Example 1 An aqueous bath, containing surfactant, was prepared as described in US 5,124,090. Tergitol TMN-6 surfactant (0.0025 kg) was mixed with water (0.9975 kg). The resulting solution was poured into a shallow container and was heated to 85 °C. Cartridges of a hand-held static mixer were filled with parts A and B of Sylgard 527 (viscosity 380 cps @ 25 °C). Both gel precursors were at room temperature. Equal amounts of parts A and B were mixed in the static mixer and extruded into the heated surfactant solution prepared above. The extruded material floated on the surface of the aqueous bath and readily dispersed. Later, the dispersed mixture cured into irregularly-shaped droplets. Because of the initial low viscosity of the mixture, a continuous, regularly-shaped profile was not obtained. Comparative Example 2 Using GE 6186 (viscosity 750 cps at 25 °C after mixing) we repeated the procedure outlined in Comparative Example 1. The result of this experiment was identical to with that observed in Comparative Example 1. Again, it was impossible to form a continuous, regularly-shaped profile. Comparative Example 3 GE RTV 6186 gel and Sylgard 527 gel were also extruded into the hot silicone oil bath (140 °C). As in Comparative examples 1 and 2, the mixed gel precursors dispersed upon contact with the silicone fluid. Again, it was not possible to extrude a continuous profile. The invention has been described with respect to particularly preferred embodiments, modifications which would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are contemplated to be within scope of the invention. For example the extrusion into the bath can be done vertically as opposed to the horizontal illustration. In addition, the invention includes all heat transfer fluids which permit curing ofthe silicone gel materials.

Claims: Claims What is claimed is: 1. A method of fabricating an extruded silicone gel profile made of cured silicone gel material, comprising the steps of: (i) mixing to homogeneity a reactive silicone mixture which undergoes a cure at a temperature greater than about 35 °C to form cured silicone gel material, the mixing being conducted at a temperature below that at which the reactive silicone mixture readily cures in a static mixer, the reactive silicone mixture comprising a mixture of (a) a first silicone component which is (R 1 R 2 2 SiO 05 )(R 1 R 2 SiO) a (R 2 2 SiO) b (R 1 R 2 2 SiO 0 . 5 ) , (R 2 3 SiO 0 . 5 )(R 1 R 2 SiO) c (R 2 2 SiO) d (R 2 3 SiO 0.5 ) , or combinations thereof; in which R 1 is selected from the group consisting of vinyl, allyl, and hexenyl •y and combinations thereof; and R is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, higher alkyl, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl, phenyl, and combinations thereof; and (b) a second silicone component which is (R 3 R 2 2 SiO 0 . 5 )(R 3 R 2 SiO) e (R 2 2 SiO) f (R 3 R 2 2 SiO 0 . 5 ) , (R 2 3 SiO 0 . 5 )(R 3 R 2 SiO) g (R 2 2 SiO) h (R 2 3 SiOo. 5 ) , (R 3 R 2 2 SiO 0 . 5 ) 4 SiO 2 , or combinations thereof, in which R is hydrogen and R 2 is as defined above; the subscripts a-h being such that the cured silicone gel material, with or without the addition of an extender fluid, exhibits a Voland hardness of 6-225 grams, a Voland tack of about 1-75 grams and a Voland stress relaxation of about 10-95%; (ii) passing the reactive silicone mixture through a shaped dye; and (iii) extruding the reactive silicone mixture through the shaped dye into a heated fluid bath, wherein the fluid is heated to a temperature greater than about 85 °C, to form an extruded silicone gel profile made of cured silicone gel material, substantially having the shape ofthe dye. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fluid in the heated fluid bath is silicone oil and the silicone oil is absorbed into the extruded silicone gel profile. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the extruded silicone gel profile has a surface tack of greater than about 2 grams upon absorption ofthe silicone oil and has a ratio of Voland profile tack to Voland profile hardness of from about 0.05 to about 0.8. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fluid in the heated fluid bath has a boiling point above 85 °C and preferably is selected from the group consisting of water, water containing a surfactant, glycerol, poly(alkylene glycol), mineral oil, silicone oil, and combinations thereof. 5. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reactive silicone mixture has a viscosity of greater than about 2,000 cSt, preferably greater than about 10,000 cSt, when exiting the die. 6. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a carrier for the cured silicone gel material, in the form of a substantially non-elongatable core member, is passed through the shaped die during the extruding step. 7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the substantially non-elongatable core member is selected from the group consisting of polymer fibers, glass fibers, carbon fibers, metallic fibers, ceramic fibers, cotton, wool, open-celled foam, and combinations thereof. 8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reactive silicone mixture further includes an inert diluent. 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the inert diluent is trimethylsiloxy- terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane), in an amount of from about 0 to 90 wt %. 10. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first silicone component is a multiply vinyl-functionalized poly(dimethylsiloxane) having a viscosity between about 10,000 and 500,000 cSt at 25 °C and the second silicone component has a molecular weight between about 300 and about 60,000 and has about 3 to about 20 reactive hydride sites per molecule. 11. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the shaped die has a shape selected from the group consisting of a circle and an n-sided figure where n is an integer greater than 2. 12. A method according to any of claims 1 through 10, wherein the shaped die has a shape selected from the group consisting of a circle, a triangle, a square, a cusped square, and a rectangle. 13. A method according to any ofthe preceding claims, wherein the fluid in the heated fluid bath is caused to flow in the same direction as the extrusion direction of the extruded silicone gel profile. 14. An extruded silicone gel profile, made by the method of any of the preceding claims. 15. An extruded silicone gel profile according to claim 14, having a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of a circle and an n-sided figure where n is an integer greater than 2. 16. An extruded silicone gel profile according to claim 14, having a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of a circle, a triangle, a square, a cusped square, and a rectangle. 17. An extruded silicone gel profile according to claim 14, further including a carrier for the cured silicone gel material, in the form of a substantially non-elongatable core member, preferably selected from the group consisting of polymer fibers, glass fibers, carbon fibers, metallic fibers, ceramic fibers, cotton, wool, polymer foam, and combinations thereof. 18. An extruded silicone gel profile according to claim 16, which has absorbed silicone oil from the heated fluid bath thereinto. 19. An extruded silicone gel profile according to claim 18, having a surface tack of greater than about 2 grams upon absoφtion of the silicone oil and has a ratio of Voland profile tack to Voland profile hardness of from about 0.05 to about 0.8.

Inventors: WOJTOWICZ JANUSZ, WOJTOWICZ, JANUSZ
Applicants: RAYCHEM CORP, WOJTOWICZ JANUSZ, RAYCHEM CORPORATION, WOJTOWICZ, JANUSZ
Application year: 1996
Main classification: C08J3
IPC codes: B29C47, B29K83, C08J3, C08L83