Patent ID: 8192797

Claim:
A method for treating a fabric for use in a reinforced elastomeric article, wherein the fabric is comprised of fibers, said method comprising the steps of: (1) applying an elastomeric material to a fabric, wherein there are interstices between the fibers in the fabric, wherein the elastomeric material impregnates the interstices between the fibers in the fabric, wherein the elastomeric material is comprised of 20 to 80 parts per hundred cross-linkable material (phcm) of a liquid elastomer and a cross-linkable functionalized polyethylene, wherein the liquid elastomer is a liquid at room temperature, wherein the cross-linkable functionalized polyethylene is an oxidized polyethylene, and wherein prior to cure, the elastomeric material has a complex dynamic viscosity of less than 5 McP (5,000 N*s/m 2 ) for at least 2 minutes at a maximum flow temperature T F , wherein the elastomeric material is prepared by the following individual steps: (a) mixing the cross-linkable functionalized polyethylene with at least one liquid elastomer to form a non-productive extrudant, wherein the mixing occurs at a temperature within the range of 10° F. above or below the melt point of the cross-linkable functionalized polyethylene, (b) extruding the non-productive extrudant, and (c) mixing the non-productive extrudant with a peroxide curing agent, the mixing being sufficient to form a vulcanizable elastomer; and (2) heating the elastomer coated fabric to a temperature within the range of 200° F. to 310° F. for at least two minutes, wherein the elastomeric material fully penetrates the fabric.