Cold shrinkable article including a fluoroelastomer composition

• US 7,642,460 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2007
• Issued: 01/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Bandyopadhyay, Pradip K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Chau N
• Application Number:
  US11/697,449
• Publication Number:
  US 20080248225A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 174/93
• US Class Current: 174/93
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 61/065 Preforms held in a stressed condition by means of a removable support; Supports therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2019/00 Use of rubber not provided for in a single one of main groups B29K2007/00 - B29K2011/00, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0046 Elastic
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/18 protected by sleeves, e.g. for communication cable two-part covers H02G15/10 ; preforms having internal stresses B29C61/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1328 Shrinkable or shrunk [e.g., due to heat, solvent, volatile agent, restraint removal, etc.]

Abstract

A tubular cold shrinkable material can include an elastomeric composition including a fluoroelastomer composition, where the elastomeric composition is substantially free of an epichlorohydrin composition. The tubular cold shrinkable material can further include a filler material including a reinforcement-grade carbon black. The tubular cold shrinkable material can further include a peroxide curative.

Claims

1. An article of manufacture comprising:

a tubular cold shrinkable material including;

an elastomeric composition, the elastomeric composition comprising a fluoroelastomer composition, and the elastomeric composition being substantially free of an epichlorohydrin composition;

a filler material, the filler material comprising one or both of a reinforcement-grade carbon black and silica; and

a peroxide curative wherein

the quantity of one or both of a reinforcement-grade carbon black and silica is in the range of about 10 phr to about 25 phr, and the quantity of peroxide curative is in the range of about 1 phr to about 6 phr.

2. The article as defined by claim 1, wherein the quantity of filler material is in the range of about 10 phr to about 25 phr, and wherein the quantity of peroxide curative is in the range of about 1 phr to about 6 phr.

3. The article as defined by claim 1, wherein the reinforcement-grade carbon black comprises carbon black having an average particle size of less than about 40 nm.

4. The article as defined by claim 1, wherein silica comprises a silane treated fumed silica.

5. The article as defined by claim 1, wherein the tubular cold shrinkable material further comprises a cross-linking agent or cross-linking co-agent.

6. The article as defined by claim 1, wherein the article exhibits an elongation greater than 500% and a permanent set less than 25% at room temperature.

7. The article as defined by claim 1, wherein the article exhibits an elongation greater than 450% and a permanent set less than 25% at 130 degrees Celsius.

8. The article as defined by claim 1, wherein the article exhibits an elongation greater than 400% and a permanent set less than 25% at 150 degrees Celsius.

9. The article as defined by claim 1, wherein the cold shrinkable material does not tear while being held for seven days in a 200% radially expanded state at 150 degrees Celsius.

10. The article as defined by claim 1, further comprising a removable core disposed inside the tubular cold shrinkable material, the removable core supporting the cold shrinkable material in an expanded state.

11. The article defined by claim 1, wherein the cold shrinkable material exhibits less than about a 25% weight increase when immersed in diesel fuel for 24 hours at a temperature of about 49 degrees Celsius.

12. The article defined by claim 1, wherein the cold shrinkable material exhibits less than about a 10% weight increase when immersed in hydraulic fluid for 24 hours at a temperature of about 71 degrees Celsius.

13. The article defined by claim 1, wherein the cold shrinkable material further comprises an energy beam absorbent and an energy beam induced indicia charred on an external surface of the cold shrinkable material responsive to application of a focused energy beam on the energy beam absorbent.

14. The article defined by claim 1, wherein the cold shrinkable material includes a plurality of elastomeric members having walls that define elongate cavities through each elastomeric member, the cavities being in communication with each other.