Vibration damping composition

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration damping composition comprising (A) 95-25 wt% of a viscous liquid and (B) 5-75 wt% of at least two solid powders having different average particle diameters, wherein the difference between the respective average particle diameters of the solid powders is at least 10 µm. The vibration damping compositions of this invention are superior in vibration damping properties and possess a stable vibration damping characteristic that is not significantly affected by temperature changes.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a vibration damping composition comprising a viscous liquid and solid powders. More particularly, this invention relates to a vibration damping composition possessing stable vibration damping characteristics which are not significantly affected by temperature changes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Vibration damping compositions containing viscous liquids and solid powders have been disclosed. For example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 62113932 is disclosed a vibration damping composition containing water, liquid polymers such as diethylene glycol, glycerin, or polybutadiene, and clay mineral powders. In Japanese Patent Publication No. 63308241 is disclosed vibration damping compositions containing viscous liquids, such as silicone oil, and solid powders, such as silica powder, glass powder, and silicone resin powder. In Japanese Patent Publication No. 63308242 are disclosed vibration damping compositions containing viscous liquids, such as silicone oil, and powders of organic resins whose glass transition point is within the working temperature range, such as acrylic resins. In addition, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 10251517 a vibration damping composition possessing excellent vibration characteristics even if the frequency of vibration changes was disclosed by the authors of the present invention. The vibration damping effects of these vibration damping compositions, however, varied depending on temperature changes, and they did not possess stable vibration damping characteristics. The present invention relates to a vibration damping composition comprising (A) 95-25 wt% of a viscous liquid and (B) 5-75 wt% of at least two solid powders having different average particle diameters, wherein the difference between the respective average particle diameters of the solid powders is at least 10 µm, see JP-A-10-251 517. The present invention is defined by a vibration damping composition comprising (A) 95-25 wt% of a viscous liquid and (B) 5-75 wt% of at least two solid powders having different average particle diameters, wherein the difference between the respective average particle diameters of the solid powders is at least 10 µm and only one of the solid powders is of calcium carbonate. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vibration damping composition superior in vibration damping properties and possessing a stable vibration damping characteristic that is not significantly affected by temperature changes. In the composition of this invention, Component (A), the viscous liquid is a medium used for dispersing the solid powders, Component (B). The viscous liquid (A) is exemplified by mineral oil, vegetable oil, synthetic oil, and silicone oil. Preferably the viscous liquid is a silicone oil because of its high compressibility, weak dependence of changes in viscosity on temperature, and superior heat resistance. Organopolysiloxanes having a siloxane backbone are recommended as the silicone oil, with the organopolysiloxane preferably containing groups exemplified by alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl and propyl, alkenyl groups such as vinyl and butenyl, aryl groups, such as phenyl and tolyl, halogenated alkyl groups such as 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl, and other substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon groups, and, additionally, a small amount of hydroxyl groups, methoxy groups, ethoxy groups, or other alkoxy groups as the groups bonded to the silicon atom in such siloxanes. Among them, in terms of the weak dependence of changes in viscosity on temperature and the excellent storage stability of the composition of the present invention, alkyl groups are preferable, with the methyl group being particularly preferred. Also, the molecular structures of such silicone oils are exemplified by linear, partially branched linear, branched, and cyclic structures, with the linear structure being particularly preferred. The kinematic viscosity of such silicone oils at 25°C is, preferably, within the range of from 100 mm 2 /s to 1,000,000 mm 2 /s, with the range of from 500 mm 2 /s to 500,000 mm 2 /s being even more preferable. This is due to the fact that if the kinematic viscosity at 25°C is less than 100 mm 2 /s, maintaining the solid powders in a dispersed state tends to become impossible, and, on the other hand, if it exceeds 1,000,000 mm 2 /s, the handling properties deteriorate, and it becomes more difficult to disperse the solid powders. Preferred silicone oils as Component (A) are exemplified by trimethylsiloxy-endblocked polydimethylsiloxanes and trimethylsiloxy-endblocked polydimethylsiloxane-polymethylphenylsiloxane copolymers. The content of the viscous fluid, Component (A) in the compositions of this invention, is typically from 95 wt% to 25 wt%, preferably from 91 wt% to 30 wt%, and, more preferably from 80 wt% to 30 wt%. This is due to the fact that if the amount of the added viscous fluid is not within this range, the vibration damping characteristics of the compositions of this invention tends to deteriorate. The solid powder, Component (B), used in the compositions of this invention, which is a component intended for imparting vibration damping properties to the composition of the present invention, is a mixture of two or more solid powders with different average particle diameters. It is necessary that the difference in the particle diameters, based on the average particle diameter, of those two or more solid powders should be at least 10 µm, with 15 µm or more being preferable. The average particle diameters of the solid powders are usually within the range of from 1 µm to 200 µm, and, preferably, within the range of from 10 µm to 150 µm, with a mixture of (B1) a solid powder with an average particle diameter of 1 µm to 50 µm and (B2) a solid powder with an average particle diameter of 20 µm to 200 µm being particularly preferred as the solid powder of the present invention. The solid powders are exemplified by inorganic powders such as silica powder, calcium carbonate powder, and glass powder, organic resin powders such as polyethylene resin powder and acrylic resin powder, and silicone resin powder. As for their shape, spherical, oblate, and irregular shape are suggested. A combination of a calcium carbonate powder with an average particle diameter of about 10-30 µm and a glass powder with an average particle diameter of about 70-120 µm being especially preferred. The content of the solid powders in the composition of the present invention is within the range of from 5 wt% to 75 wt%, preferably, within the range of from 9 wt% to 70 wt%, and, more preferably, within the range of from 20 wt% to 70 wt%. This is due to the fact that if the amount of the added solid powders is not within this range, the vibration damping characteristic tends to deteriorate. In addition, the proportion, in which the above mentioned solid powder of component (B1) and solid powder of component (B2) are mixed, is, preferably, such that component (B2) constitutes not more than 40 w% of component (B1). The composition of the present invention comprises the above mentioned viscous liquid (A) and solid powders (B), but other optional components, such as clay, bentonite, silica micropowder, metallic soap, and other thickeners, anti-oxidants, rust preventives, flame resistance imparting agents, pigments, and dyes, may be added thereto as well. The composition of the present invention is produced by homogeneously mixing the above mentioned viscous liquid (A) and solid powders (B). Kneading techniques employing well-known kneading equipment, such as ball mills, vibrating mills, kneader-mixers, screw extruders, paddle mixers, ribbon mixers, Henschel mixers, jet mixers, Hobart mixers, roller mixers, and the like, are suggested as the means for mixing the viscous liquid (A) and solid powders (B). The composition of the present invention as described above is superior in vibration damping properties and has the advantage of insignificant temperature dependency, which results in an excellent vibration damping characteristic even if the temperature fluctuates. For this reason, by placing it in containers made of elastic material to obtain shock-absorbing members, the vibration damping composition of the present invention can be utilized in shock-absorbing members used in electrical equipment, such as compact disc players, compact disc changers, minidisc players, and car navigation devices. EXAMPLES In the examples hereinbelow, the kinematic viscosity is a value measured at 25°C. Example 1 About 1000 g of a trimethylsiloxy-endblocked polydimethylsiloxane having a kinematic viscosity of 60,000 mm 2 /s, 1620 g of irregular-shaped calcium carbonate with an average particle diameter of 20 µm, and 360 g of spherical glass beads with an average particle diameter of 80-110 µm were placed in a Hobart mixer (made by Hobart) and mixed at a low speed for one hour, with scraping carried out every 30 minutes. The vibration damping characteristics (tanδ) of the thus obtained vibration damping composition at -20°C, 25°C, and 60°C were measured by the plate method using a rheometric dynamic analyzer (from RHEOMETRICS Inc.; RDA-700) (measurement conditions: plate diameter: 20 mm, frequency: 10 Hz, strain: 20%, sample thickness: 1 mm). Subsequently, ratios to tanδ at 25°C (tanδ/tanδ(25°C)) were obtained from these results. The results are listed in Table 1. Example 2 Except for adding spherical glass beads with an average particle diameter of 40-80 µm instead of the spherical glass beads with an average particle diameter of 80-110 µm used in Example 1, a vibration damping composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. The tanδ of the resultant vibration damping composition at -20°C, 25°C, and 60°C were measured in the same manner as in Example 1, obtaining ratios to tanδ at 25°C from these results. The results are listed in Table 1. Example 3 Except for adding a trimethylsiloxy-endblocked polydimethylsiloxane having a kinematic viscosity of 100,000 mm 2 /s instead of the trimethylsiloxy-endblocked polydimethylsiloxane having a kinematic viscosity of 60,000 mm 2 /s used in Example 1, a vibration damping composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. The tanδ of the resultant vibration damping composition at -20°C, 25°C, and 60°C were measured in the same manner as in Example 1, obtaining ratios to tanδ at 25°C from these results. The results are listed in Table 1. Comparative Example 1 A vibration damping composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the spherical glass beads used in Example 1 were not added. The tanδ of the resultant vibration damping composition at -20°C, 25°C, and 60°C were measured in the same manner as in Example 1, obtaining ratios to tanδ at 25°C from these results. The results are listed in Table 1. Comparative Example 2 A vibration damping composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, with the exception that spherical glass beads with an average particle diameter of 15 µm were added instead of the spherical glass beads with an average particle diameter of 80-110 µm used in Example 1. The tanδ of the resultant vibration damping composition at -20°C, 25°C, and 60°C were measured in the same manner as in Example 1, obtaining ratios to tanδ at 25°C from these results. The results are listed in Table 1. Vibration Damping Characteristic ( tanδ ) at 25°C Vibration Damping Characteristic [ tanδ/tanδ(25°C) ] -20°C 60°C Application Example 1 3.90 0.52 1.50 Application Example 2 9.10 0.40 1.67 Application Example 3 3.09 0.62 1.56 Comparative Example 1 15.8 0.37 1.70 Comparative Example 2 12.9 0.38 1.77 It can be seen from Table 1 that the compositions of this invention possess superior vibration damping properties and a stable vibration damping characteristic that is not significantly affected by temperature changes.

Claims: A vibration damping composition comprising: (A) 95-25 wt% of a viscous liquid; and (B) 5-75 wt% of at least two different solid powders having different average particle diameters wherein the difference between the respective average particle diameters of the solid powders is at least 10 µm characterised in that only one of the solid powders is of calcium carbonate. A composition according to Claim 1, wherein (A) is selected from the group consisting of mineral oil, vegetable oil, synthetic oil, and silicone oil. A composition according to Claim 2, wherein the silicone oil has a kinematic viscosity of from 100 mm 2 /s to 1,000,000 mm 2 /s at 25°C, preferably of from 500 mm 2 /s to 500,000 mm 2 /s at 25°C. A composition according to Claim 2, wherein the silicone oil is selected from the group consisting of trimethylsiloxy-endblocked polydimethylsiloxanes having a kinematic viscosity of from 100 mm 2 /s to 1,000,000 mm 2 /s at 25°C and trimethylsiloxy-endblocked polydimethylsiloxane-polymethylphenylsiloxane copolymers having a kinematic viscosity of from 100 mm 2 /s to 1,000,000 mm 2 /s at 25°C. A composition according to Claim 2, wherein the silicone oil is selected from the group consisting of trimethylsiloxy-endblocked polydimethylsiloxanes having a kinematic viscosity of from 500 mm 2 /s to 500,000 mm 2 /s at 25°C and trimethylsiloxy-endblocked polydimethylsiloxane-polymethylphenylsiloxane copolymers having a kinematic viscosity of from 500 mm 2 /s to 500,000 mm 2 /s at 25°C. A composition according to Claim 1 or 5, wherein the difference between the respective average particle diameters of the solid powders is at least 15 µm. A composition according to Claim 1 or 5, wherein the average particle diameters of the solid powders are from 1 µm to 200 µm. A composition according to Claim 1 or 5, wherein the average particle diameters of the solid powders are from 10 µm to 150 µm. A composition according to Claim 1 or 5, wherein Component (B) is a mixture of (B1) a solid calcium carbonate powder with an average particle diameter of 1 µm to 50 µm and (B2) a solid powder with an average particle diameter of 20 µm to 200 µm. A composition according to Claim 9, wherein (B2) the other of said solid powders is selected from the group consisting of inorganic powders, organic resin powders, and silicone resin powders. A composition according to Claim 10, wherein in organic powder is selected from the group consisting of silica powder and glass powder, and the organic resin powder is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene resin powder and acrylic resin powder. A composition according to Claim 1 or 5, wherein (B) is a combination of (B1) a calcium carbonate powder with an average particle diameter of about 10-30 µm and (B2) a glass powder with an average particle diameter of about 70-120 µm. A composition according to Claim 11, wherein (B) is present in an amount of from 20 wt% to 70 wt% and (B2) constitutes not more than 40 w% of component (B1). A composition according to Claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of clay, bentonite, silica micropowder, metallic soap, thickeners, antioxidants, rust preventives, flame resistance imparting agents, pigments, and dyes.

Inventors: AKAMATSU SHOJI, TEISHI MARI TA, AKAMATSU, SHOJI, TEISHI, MARI TA, Akamatsu, Shoji, Dow Corning Toray Silicone Comp., Teishi, Mari Ta, Dow Corning Toray Silicone Comp.
Applicants: DOW CORNING TORAY SILICONE, DOW CORNING TORAY SILICONE COMPANY, LTD.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: F16F9
IPC codes: F16F9, F16F7