Cohesive bonding process for forming a laminate of a wear resistant thermoplastic and a weather resistant rubber

Abstract

Abstract A polymer laminate produced by crosshead extrusion suitable for wear resistant applications such as a vehicle glass run channel comprises a layer of a weather resistant rubber such as an ethylene-propylenediene (EPDM) rubber and a layer of a wear resistant thermoplastic such as polypropylene. The laminate is passed through an oven at an elevated temperature sufficient to cure the EPDM rubber, for example, at about 375° F., with ambient temperature cooling fluid being blown over the exposed surface of the polypropylene thermoplastic. The interior polypropylene surface or interface is heated by the EPDM rubber which is at a high temperature as a result of the heat of extrusion and heat generated by cure thereof. As a result, the polypropylene interior surface or interface melts and causes it to flow and form a mechanical bond with the EPDM rubber while the exposed surface as well as a substantial portion of the polypropylene is kept from melting by the cooling fluid. The EPDM rubber can be extruded in the form of a channel having a longitudinal web which supports and is bonded to the laminated polypropylene wear strip to form a glass run channel.

Inventors

• 👤 Mark L. Brooks
• 👤 Keith E. Wilson

Bibliographic Details