Nitrile polymer vulcanizate and process for the production thereof

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a nitrile polymer vulcanizate having improved hot air aging characteristics. The nitrile polymer vulcanizate may be produced by admixing a composition containing: (i) a nitrile polymer; (ii) a filler; (iii) a metal salt of a secondary amine; (iv) a vulcanization system; and optionally (v) an additive selected from the group consisting of a strong base, a salt of a strong base and a weak acid, a salt of a weak acid, a carbodiimide, a polycarbodiimide and mixtures thereof

1 - 17 . (canceled)  
     
     
         18 . A method for improving the hot air aging characteristics of a nitrile polymer comprising the step of admixing a nitrile polymer with a metal salt of a secondary amine with the metal being selected from groups 1-2 of the periodic system of the elements (IUPAC 1985) and optionally an additive selected from the group consisting of a strong base, a salt of strong base and a weak acid, a salt of a weak acid, a carbodiimide, a polycarbodiimide and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the nitrile polymer is a copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the copolymer is partially or fully hydrogenated.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the copolymer comprises a residual carbon-carbon double bond unsaturation of less than 30 mole percent.  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising admixing a vulcanization system with the nitrile polymer and the additive.  
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising admixing a filler with the nitrile polymer and the additive.