ACTIVATABLE MATERIAL FOR SEALING, BAFFLING OR REINFORCING AND METHOD OF FORMING SAME

• US 20070284036A1
• Filed: 06/07/2006
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.
• Original Assignee: L&L Products Inc.
• Inventors: Sheasley, David, Kosal, David, Antrim, Jeanne
• Granted Patent: US 7,438,782 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/293
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 2650/50 containing nitrogen, e.g. polyetheramines or Jeffamines(r)
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/04 Macromolecular compounds according to groups C08L7/00 - C08L49/00, or C08L55/00 - C08L57/00; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/22 Macromolecular compounds not provided for in C08L2666/16 - C08L2666/20
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 71/02 Polyalkylene oxides
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 163/00 Adhesives based on epoxy resins; Adhesives based on derivatives of epoxy resins
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2463/00 Presence of epoxy resin
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 5/06 involving heating of the applied adhesive

Abstract

An activatable material and articles incorporating the same is disclosed The activatable material includes at least two of epoxy resin; impact modifier; blowing agent; curing agent; and filler. The activatable material is preferably used for sealing, baffling, adhering or reinforcing an article of manufacture such as an automotive vehicle.

Claims

1. A method of adhesion, the method comprising:

providing an activatable material, the activatable material including;

i) epoxy resin;

ii) epoxy/elastomer adduct;

iii) a core/shell polymer impact modifier; and

iv) a curing agent;

locating the activatable material adjacent a first surface and a second surface of an automotive vehicle, the first surface and second surface being part of a hem flange joint; and

activating the activatable material to bond the activatable material to the first surface and second surface.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein the activatable material is located adjacent the first surface and the second surface as a substantially tack-Free elongated strip.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein the activatable material is activated in an e-coat or paint oven.

4. A method as in claim 2 wherein the activatable material includes between about 20% and about 30% by weight of the epoxy/elastomer adduct.

5. A method as in claim 1 wherein the activatable material includes a blowing agent.

8. A method as in claim 1 wherein the activatable material further includes a thermoplastic polyether.

9. A method as in claim 1 wherein the first surface is part of a first member of the article of manufacture and the second surface is part of a second member of the article of manufacture.

10. A method as in claim 9 wherein the core/shell impact modifier has a polymethyl methacrylate shell and butadiene styrene core.

6. A method as in claim 6 wherein the blowing agent is selected from an azodicarbonamide, a dinitrosopentamethylenetetramine, a 4,4_i-oxy-bis-(benzenesulphonylhydrazide), a trihydrazinotriazine or a N,N_i-dimethyl-N,N_i-dinitrosoterephthalamide.

7. A method as in claim 6 wherein the activatable material includes at least 35% by weight filler material.

11. A method of adhesion, the method comprising:

providing an activatable material, the activatable material including;

i) epoxy resin;

ii) epoxy/elastomer adduct;

iii) a thermoplastic polyether;

iv) a core/shell polymer impact modifier; and

v) a curing agent;

locating the activatable material adjacent a first metal surface of a first member of an automotive vehicle and a second metal surface of a second member of the automotive vehicle; and

activating the activatable material to bond the activatable material to the first member and the second.

12. A method as in claim 11 wherein the first surface and second surface are part of a hem flange joint wherein the first member has an end portion that forms a cavity for receiving a free end of the second member.

13. A method as in claim 12 wherein the activatable material is located, during the locating step, within the cavity formed by the end portion of the first member as a substantially tack-free elongated strip.

14. A method as in claim 11 wherein the activatable material is located adjacent the first surface and second surface as a substantially tack-free elongated strip.

15. A method as in claim 11 wherein the activatable material is activated in an e-coat or paint oven.

16. A method as in claim 11 wherein the activatable material includes a blowing agent.

17. A method as in claim 11 wherein the activatable material includes at least 35% by weight filler material.

18. A method as in claim 11 wherein the activatable material includes between about 20% and about 30% by weight of the epoxy/elastomer adduct.

19. A method as in claim 11 wherein the core/shell impact modifier has a polymethyl methacrylate shell and butadiene styrene core.

20. A method of adhesion, the method comprising:

providing an activatable material, the activatable material including;

i. about 10% to about 20% by weight epoxy resin;

ii. about 20% to about 30% by weight epoxylelastomer adduct;

iii. a thermoplastic polyether that that is a polyetheramine;

iv. a core/shell polymer impact modifier having a polymethyl methacrylate shell and butadiene styrene core; and

v. a curing agent;

locating the activatable material within or adjacent a first surface of a first member of an automotive vehicle wherein the joint is a hem flange formed of a first member and a second member, the first member having an end portion that forms a cavity for receiving a free end of the second member;

activating the activatable material to bond the activatable material to the first member and the second.