SELF-SEALING SILICONES FLUIDS

Abstract: A silicone composition having a unique particle size distribution useful as a self-sealing agent for silicone fluid applications.

Description: SELF-SEALING SILICONES FLUIDS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims rights of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/150,321, filed August 23, 1999. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a self-sealing container system comprising a wall, a polysiloxaiie fluid and a silicone composition having a unique particle size distribution useful as a self-sealing agent for silicone fluid applications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART Elastomeric polysiloxane particles are produced using a wide variety of methods known in the art. Examples of patents on the preparation of elastomeric polysiloxanes include: U.S. 4,970,252, U.S. 5,760,116, U.S. 4,340,709, U.S. 3,436,366, U.S. 5,654,362, U.S. 4,172,101, U.S. 5,811,487, U.S. 5,880,210 and U.S. 5,987,169. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A self-sealing fluid container system which comprises: (a) a wall having a substantially continuous inner surface; (b) a fluid contained by the inner surface; and (c) elastomeric silicone particles dispersed or suspended in the fluid, whereby if the wall develops a break or hole, then the elastomeric silicone particles self-seal the container system by preventing the fluid from flowing through the hole in the wall. The container may additionally comprise a substantially continuous adhesive seal wherein the seal contains the fluid. The container system may also be such that the inner surface defines a volume, and the fluid is contained within the volume, for example, in a bag. As used herein, "substantially continuous" means no breaks, tears, holes or punctures that are measurable. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The self -sealing container system can be any container comprising walls that are impermeable to fluids and have inner and outer surfaces. The walls may be rigid or flexible, although flexible walls that bend and are adaptable to different shapes are preferred. The wall thickness is not important, although walls that are at least 0.001 inches in thickness are preferred. Examples of materials used in the construction of the containers are: urethane, polypropylene, polyethylene, and various high performance engineered thermoplastics. These containers occasionally have small holes in them that are the result of the manufacturing process, some force on the wall that creates a hole extending from the inner surface to the outer surface, or small breaks or discontinuities in the adhesive seal of the container, through which fluid can flow. The holes are sometimes created during the filling of the containers, during routine manufacturing operations or during normal wear and abuse depending on the application. In a first preferred embodiment, the elastomeric silicone particles of the present invention comprise from about 0.2 to about 95 percent by weight, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 50 percent and even more preferably from about 1 to about 10 percent, of the total silicone fluid compound, depending on the desired fluid viscosity. The particle size of the elastomeric particles used in the composition are from about 50 to about 1000 microns, more preferably from about 60 to about 500 microns and even more preferably from about 80 to about 300 microns, depending on the size of the hole to be filled. As used herein, the term "elastomeric silicone" or "elastomeric polysiloxane" refers to crosslinked polysiloxanes. Elastomeric polysiloxanes are made by known methods either neat, in situ or in an alternative solvent through polymerization and/ or crosslinking of silicone components, potentially employing silicone or organic crosslinkers or chain extenders in conjunction with other silicone components, such as, for example, hydrosilylation polymerization of vinyl and hydridosiloxanes, either as homogeneous solutions or emulsions; condensation of silanols, alkoxysiloxanes or carboxysiloxanes; and free radical polymerization. In a preferred embodiment, the elastomeric polysiloxane is prepared through hydrosilylation of a vinyl terminated siloxane with a silylhydride as crosslinking component, with a platinum catalyst in the presence of a cyclic siloxane solvent. In a highly preferred embodiment, the vinyl terminated siloxane is divinylpolysiloxane, the silylhydride is an MHQ resin averaging eight SiH units per molecule, and the cyclic siloxane solvent is decamethy ley clopentasiloxane . The elastomeric polysiloxane may be reduced to a desired particle size through grinding, milling or any other form of particle shear known in the art. The elastomeric polysiloxane particles of the present invention can be added to a desired silicone fluid, where they are dispersed throughout the silicone fluid. The elastomeric silicone particles must be insoluble in the polysiloxane fluid, they must be solid particles, and they must remain suspended or dispersed in the fluid. As used herein, the terms "suspended" or "dispersed" mean that the elastomeric polysiloxane particles are uniformly spread throughout the liquid and do not settle out. In order to remain dispersed or suspended, the particles are preferably of a density that is compatible with the fluid to be used. The elastomeric particles are used to self-seal small leaks in applications where a sealed container may develop a small leak during production, filling or normal application, thus preventing the loss of fluid from the container. This will prevent rejection or failure of the containers. The elastomeric particles are generally smaller than the hole or break to be filled. In a preferred embodiment, the particles are approximately one-third the width of the diameter of the hole or break. In a highly preferred embodiment, the particle size of the elastomeric silicone particles is from about 50 to about 1000 microns, and the amount of the elastomeric particles dispersed in the fluid is from about 0.2 to about 10 weight percent. As used herein, "silicone fluid" means a polysiloxane fluid. The polysiloxane fluid may be any polysiloxane fluid that is compatible with the elastomeric silicone particles. Preferred polysiloxane fluids include: cyclicpolydimethylsiloxanes, cyclicpolydiphenylsiloxanes, polydimethylsiloxane, polymethylphenylsiloxanes, polydiphenylsiloxanes, alkyl substituted polydimethylsiloxane, polyether substituted siloxanes, alkoxy substituted polydimethylsiloxanes. In a preferred embodiment, the silicone fluid is polydimethylsiloxane, and the viscosity range of the fluid is 0.5 to 750,000 centistokes. Another aspect of the present invention is a self-sealing silicone fluid composition comprising: (a) a silicone fluid having the formula MD n M, wherein M is R3SiOι / 2, D is R SiC j wherein R and R 1 are each one to ten carbon atom monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, and 'n' is an integer from 0 to 500,000 whereby the viscosity of the polysiloxane fluid is from about 0.5 centistokes to about 750,000 centistokes at 25°C; and (b) elastomeric particles in said fluid self-seal small holes or breaks in the adhesive in a self-sealing v-ontainer system. Another aspect of the present invention is a method for making a self- sealing fluid comprising: (a) producing an elastomeric silicone; (b) reducing the elastomeric silicone to a desired particle size; (c) dispersing the elastomeric silicone particles into a desired silicone fluid; and (d) adding the dispersion to a container. The self-sealing container system of the present invention may be incorporated into other systems, or used alone, where the need to seal small holes in the container is important. Articles may be formed comprising: a self-sealing container system comprising: (a) a wall having a substantially continuous inner surface; (b) a fluid contained by the inner surface; and (c) elastomeric silicone particle dispersed or suspended in the polysiloxane fluid, whereby if the wall develops a break or hole, then the elastomeric silicone particles self-seal the container system by preventing the fluid from flowing through the hole in the wall. The self-sealing container system may additionally be a system wherein the inner surface defines a volume, and the fluid is contained within the volume, for example, in a bag, a container holding an electronic control board or other container in which the fluid is completely contained. The article formed by the self-sealing container may also be such that the inner surface defines a volume and the fluid is contained within the volume. One example of a self-sealing container is a modular housing for an automotive electronic control module. Self-sealing silicone fluids are particularly useful in electronic applications because they provide the desirable characteristics necessary for electronic component protection, such as moisture and contamination protection, flowability into small areas, good insulating properties and excellent heat transfer. Because the silicone fluid is self-sealing, small holes or cracks in the housing module or gaps in the gasket are automatically sealed and liquid is prevented from flowing out of the housing. The respective disclosures of all United States patents referenced herein are hereby specifically incorporated herein. The following examples illustrate the present invention. They are illustrative and the claims are not to be construed as limited to the examples. Examples 1 and 2 The respective elastomeric polysiloxane particles of and Examples 1 and 2 of the present invention were each prepared through the hydrosilylation of a vinyl terminated siloxane (divinylpol siloxane) with a MHQ silylhydride resin as a crosslinking component, using Karstedt's platinum catalyst in the presence of a cyclic siloxane solvent (decamethylcyclopentasiloxane). Divinylpoly siloxane was blended with the silylhydride in decamethylcyclopentasiloxane. The platinum catalyst was added and the reaction stirred and heated to 80°C to allow reaction and curing. The resulting material was diluted to 5.5 weight % elastomer content using polydimethylsiloxane having a viscosity of approximately 5 centistokes, and it was then subjected to shear using a Sonolator to obtain the desired particle size, as measured by a Malvern Particle Size analyzer (with the sample diluted in decamethylcyclopentasiloxane and isopropyl alcohol). The material in Example 1 was further diluted in polydimethylsiloxane having a viscosity of approximately 1000 centistokes to reach the desired final concentration of elastomeric silicone in the fluid. Approximately 300 grams of the material was added to a polyethylene plastic bag. A pinhole leak was put into the bag. Leakage was measured over a 14 day period. The material in Example 2 was produced in a similar manner as that of Example 1. It was diluted to the desired final concentration of elastomeric silicone particles in decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, with the desired particle size. One quart of the material was placed in a sealable polyethylene plastic bag. A 0.062 inch diameter hole was punched in the bag. Leakage was measured over a 30 day period. Comparative Example A comparative test was run using the same test used in examples 1 and 2. Polydimethylsiloxane having a viscosity of approximately 1000 centistokes with no elastomeric silicone particles in the fluid was added to a urethane bag with a 1 millimeter diameter puncture hole in the bag to a height of at least one inch above the hole. Leakage was measured over a 24 hour period, and slightly over 3 grams of fluid leaked from the bag. By comparison, the fluid loss for the same test using a fluid with elastomeric silicone particles was less than 1 gram over a 14 day and 30 day period. The components described below and the relative amounts are set forth in TABLE I. The components used in the elastomeric polysiloxanes were as follows: A Divinylpolysiloxane having a viscosity of approximately 40,000 centistokes; B An MHQ resin silylhydride averaging eight SiH units per molecule; C Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane; D Karstedt's platinum catalyst. TABLE I The compositions of Examples 1 and 2 were produced using the same method. Example 1 had a lower concentration of elastomeric particles having a larger particle size than the particles of Example 2. The comparative example had no particles; only a silicone fluid was in the bag. Example 3 A modular housing used for automotive electronic control modules was tested with the self-sealing silicone fluid of the present invention. A 1 mm hole was drilled in the housing, and the housing was then filled with a self-sealing silicone fluid (1% silicone elastomer in 1000 centistokes silicone fluid, as prepared above). After an initial drop of fluid due to direct pouring, the silicone fluid sealed the hole in the housing and no further silicone fluid passed through the hole.

Claims: CLAIMS Having described the invention, that which is claimed is: 1. A self-sealing fluid container system which comprises: (a) a wall having a substantially continuous inner surface; (b) a fluid contained by the inner surface; and (c) elastomeric silicone particles dispersed or suspended in the fluid, whereby if the wall develops a break or hole, then the elastomeric silicone particles self -seal the container system by preventing the fluid from flowing through the hole in the wall. 2. The container of claim 1, additionally comprising a substantially continuous adhesive seal wherein the seal contains the fluid. 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the inner surface defines a volume, and the fluid is contained within the volume. 4. The container of claim 1, wherein the wall is rigid. 5. The container of claim 1, wherein the wall is flexible. 6. The self-sealing container system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is a polysiloxane fluid having the formula MD n M, wherein M is R3S1O1 / 2, wherein R and R 1 are each one to ten carbon atom monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, and 'n' is an integer from 0 to 500,000 whereby the viscosity of the polysiloxane fluid is from about 0.5 centistokes to about 750,000 centistokes at 25°C. 7. The self sealing container system of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric silicone particle size is from about 0.05 to about 10,000 microns. 8. A silicone fluid composition comprising (a) a silicone fluid having the formula MD n M, wherein M is R3S1O1 / 2, D is R^SiOa ^ wherein R and R 1 are each one to ten carbon atom monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, and 'n' is an integer from 0 to 500,000 whereby the viscosity of the polysiloxane fluid is from about 0.5 centistokes to about 750,000 centistokes at 25°C; and (b) elastomeric silicone particles dispersed in said fluid, wherein the elastomeric particles in said fluid self-seal small holes or breaks in the adhesive in a self-sealing container system. 9. The composition of Claim 8, wherein the wherein the particle size of the elastomeric silicone is from about 50 to about 1000 microns. 10. The composition of Claim 8, wherein the amount of elastomeric silicone particles in the fluid is from about 0.2 to about 10 weight percent. 11. The composition of claim 8, wherein the silicon fluid (a) is polydimethylsiloxane. 12. The composition of claim 8, wherein the elastomeric silicone is produced through hydrosilylation of divinylpolysiloxane. 13. A method of making a self-sealing silicone fluid comprising: (a) producing an elastomeric silicone; (b) reducing the elastomeric silicone to a desired particle size; and (c) dispersing the elastomeric silicone particles into a desired silicone fluid. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the particle size of the elastomeric silicone is from about 50 to about 1000 microns. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the amount of elastomeric silicone particles in the fluid is from about 0.2 to about 10 weight percent. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the silicon fluid is polydimethysiloxane. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the elastomeric silicone is produced through hydrosilylation of divinylpolysiloxane. 18. An article formed by a self-sealing container system comprising: (a) a wall having a substantially continuous inner surface; (b) a fluid contained by the inner surface; and (c) elastomeric silicone particle dispersed or suspended in the polysiloxane fluid, whereby if the wall develops a break or hole, then the elastomeric silicone particles self-seal the container system by preventing the fluid from flowing through the hole in the wall. 19. The article of claim 18, additionally comprising an adhesive seal wherein the seal contains the fluid. 20. The article of claim 18, wherein the inner surface defines a volume, and the fluid is contained within the inner surface. 21. The article of claim 18, wherein the container is a housing for an electronic part.

Inventors: HORNE ADAM J, JOHNSON DONALD S, KILGOUR JOHN ALFRED, TRAVER FRANK JOHN, HORNE, ADAM, J., JOHNSON, DONALD, S., KILGOUR, JOHN, ALFRED, TRAVER, FRANK, JOHN
Applicants: GEN ELECTRIC, GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Application year: 2000
Main classification: C08L83
IPC codes: B29C73, B65D83, C08L83, C09K3, F16J15