Patent ID: 7348366

Claim:
A method for making a thermally robust compression elastomer, comprising: (a) admixing fluoroelastomer and fluorinated silicone polymer into a polymeric admixture, the fluorinated silicone comprising a polysiloxane that has a Williams plasticity of from about 250 to about 300, and that comprises 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl groups in sufficient number to provide from about 1 to about 43 weight percent fluorine in the polymer; and (b) curing said polymeric admixture into said compression elastomer; (c) wherein said fluoroelastomer and said fluorinated silicone polymer are admixed in a weight ratio such that said compression elastomer has a vaporous hydrocarbon permeation rate value of not greater than 25 gm-mm/m 2 /day, determined according to ASTM D-814, and a thermal strain value of not less than 80 percent at a temperature of not less than 150 degrees Celsius, determined according to ASTM D-412, curing said polymeric admixture into said compression elastomer using a curing system consisting essentially of (1) radiation or (2) a combination of radiation and a curing agent.