Reactions products of an ortho-silicate and a hydroxy terminated diene polymer and the preparation thereof

Abstract

Abstract Stable polymeric gels are obtained as reaction products of tetraalkyl ortho-silicates, such as tetraethyl ortho-silicate, and an intermediate polyhydroxy polymer having an average of at least about 1.8 predominantly primary, terminal, allylic hydroxyl groups per molecule. These intermediate polyhydroxy polymers are addition polymers containing 0 to about 75 percent by weight of the residue of an alpha-monoolefin of two to about 12 carbon atoms, such as styrene or acrylonitrile, and about 25 to 100 percent by weight of the residue of a 1,3-diene of four to about 12 carbon atoms, such as butadiene. The intermediate polyhydroxy polymer has the majority of its unsaturation in the main carbon chain, has a viscosity at 30* C. of about 5-20,000 poises, and has a number average molecular weight of about 400 to 25,000. The equivalent ratio of tetraalkyl ortho-silicate to the intermediate polyhydroxy polymer can be varied broadly, such as from about 0.25 or lower to 3 or more, and preferably is about 1 to 2. Reaction resulting in gel formation occurs at ambient temperatures, such as 20* C., or higher, in contact with a catalytic amount of an alkanoic acid metal salt of tin, lead or cobalt, such as stannous octoate or dibutyl tin dilaurate. These polymeric gels vary from sticky gels to firm gels and, as they can be prepared at ambient temperatures, have utility in coatings and in casting of heat-sensitive articles. They can be mixed with asphalt or with rubber for use in rubber articles as rubber floor tile. These stable polymeric gels are also suitable, as prepared, for use as potting and encapsulating compounds.

Inventors

• 👤 Robert A Moore
• 👤 Patrick W Ryan

Bibliographic Details