Sealant compositions and sealed electrical connectors
First Claim
1. A moisture and temperature resistant electrical connector for sealingly connecting transmission means comprising:
- (a) a connector body comprising terminal means for accepting and electrically connecting with said transmission means; and
(b) a sealing and lubricating composition disposed along or adjacent to said terminal means for providing low-temperature sealing and wire-insertability to the connector, said composition comprising an elastomeric thermoplastic polymer, said elastomeric thermoplastic polymer being elastomeric at temperatures of from about -40°
C. to at least about +150°
C. and flowable yet thermally stable at temperatures of from about +200°
C., said elastomeric thermoplastic polymer comprising at least one elastomeric block and one non-elastomeric block, and said elastomeric thermoplastic polymer comprising a composite of a first elastomeric thermoplastic polymer and a second elastomeric thermoplastic polymer, the melt viscosity of said second elastomeric thermoplastic polymer being at least about 50 times greater than the melt viscosity of said first elastomeric thermoplastic polymer, and an extender for said polymer, said extender comprising a major proportion by weight of said composition and said extender comprising an extender having a secondary swelling percentage at about 60°
C. of at least about 700% in a poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) tri-block copolymer, wherein said composition has a slump resistance at about 80°
C. of less than about 0.5 inches, a low-temperature cohesive strength at about -22°
C. of no greater than about 0.01 g and a low-temperature wire insertability at about -22°
C. of no less than about 80×
0.1 mm.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are sealant compositions and electrical connectors having excellent low temperature repairability and outstanding sealing ability at both high and low temperatures. The preferred connectors contain a sealant composition comprising an elastomeric thermoplastic polymer and an extender for said polymer, said extender constituting a major proportion by weight of said sealant composition and said polymer constituting a minor proportion by weight of said sealant composition, wherein said composition preferably has a low-temperature wire insertability of at least about 80 mm. Furthermore, the preferred compositions are both slump and spew resistant over the operating temperature range of the connector.
76 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A moisture and temperature resistant electrical connector for sealingly connecting transmission means comprising:
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(a) a connector body comprising terminal means for accepting and electrically connecting with said transmission means; and (b) a sealing and lubricating composition disposed along or adjacent to said terminal means for providing low-temperature sealing and wire-insertability to the connector, said composition comprising an elastomeric thermoplastic polymer, said elastomeric thermoplastic polymer being elastomeric at temperatures of from about -40°
C. to at least about +150°
C. and flowable yet thermally stable at temperatures of from about +200°
C., said elastomeric thermoplastic polymer comprising at least one elastomeric block and one non-elastomeric block, and said elastomeric thermoplastic polymer comprising a composite of a first elastomeric thermoplastic polymer and a second elastomeric thermoplastic polymer, the melt viscosity of said second elastomeric thermoplastic polymer being at least about 50 times greater than the melt viscosity of said first elastomeric thermoplastic polymer, and an extender for said polymer, said extender comprising a major proportion by weight of said composition and said extender comprising an extender having a secondary swelling percentage at about 60°
C. of at least about 700% in a poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) tri-block copolymer, wherein said composition has a slump resistance at about 80°
C. of less than about 0.5 inches, a low-temperature cohesive strength at about -22°
C. of no greater than about 0.01 g and a low-temperature wire insertability at about -22°
C. of no less than about 80×
0.1 mm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A moisture and temperature resistant electrical connector for sealingly connecting transmission means comprising:
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(a) a connector body; and (b) a sealant composition disposed in said connector body, said sealant composition comprising; (i) a minor proportion by weight of an elastomeric thermoplastic polymer, said elastomeric thermoplastic polymer being elastomeric at ambient temperatures and flowable yet thermally stable at elevated temperatures, said elastomeric thermoplastic polymer comprising at least one elastomeric block and one non-elastomeric block, and said elastomeric thermoplastic polymer comprising a composite of a first elastomeric thermoplastic polymer and a second elastomeric thermoplastic polymer, the melt viscosity of said second elastomeric thermoplastic polymer being at least about 50 times greater than the melt viscosity of said first elastomeric thermoplastic polymer; and (ii) a major proportion by weight of an extender, at least about 35% by weight of said extender having a secondary swelling percentage at about 60°
C. of at least about 700% in a poly (styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) tri-block copolymer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification