Multi-layered elastomer article and method for making the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-layered elastomer article and to a method for its manufacturing. The multi-layered article made of an elastomeric composition [composition (C)] comprising at least one elastomer, said article having at least one surface [surface (S)] comprising: —nitrogen-containing groups [groups (N)] and —at least one layer [layer (L1)] adhered to said surface (S) comprising at least one metal compound [compound (M)].

1 . A multi-layered article made of an elastomeric composition (C) comprising at least one elastomer, said article having at least one surface (S), said surface comprising:
 nitrogen-containing groups (N) and   at least one layer (L1) adhered to said surface (S) comprising at least one metal compound (M).   
     
     
         2 . The multi-layered article according to  claim 1 , wherein said elastomer comprises recurring units derived from at least one (per)fluorinated monomer and/or at least one hydrogenated monomer. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-layered article according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one (per)fluorinated monomer is selected from the group comprising:
 C 3 -C 8  perfluoroolefins;   C 2 -C 8  hydrogenated fluoroolefins;   chloro- and/or bromo- and/or iodo-C 2 -C 6  fluoroolefins;   CH 2 =CH—R f0  wherein R f0  is a C 1 -C 6  (per)fluoroalkyl or a C 1 -C 6  (per)fluorooxyalkyl having one or more ether groups;   CH 2 =CFOR f1 , wherein R f1  is a C 1 -C 6  fluoro- or perfluoroalkyl group;   CF 2 =CFOR f2 , wherein R f2  is a C 1 -C 6  fluoro- or perfluoroalkyl group; or a C 1 -C 12  oxyalkyl or a C 1 -C 12  (per)fluorooxyalkyl group comprising one or more ether groups;   or a group of formula —CF 2 OR f3  in which R f3  is a C 1 -C 6  fluoro- or perfluoroalkyl or a C 1 -C 6  (per)fluorooxyalkyl group comprising one or more ether groups;   CF 2 =CFOR f4 , wherein R f4  is a C 1 -C 12  alkyl or (per)fluoroalkyl group; a C 1 -C 12  oxyalkyl; or a C 1 -C 12  (per)fluorooxyalkyl; said R f4  comprising a carboxylic or sulfonic acid group, in its acid, acid halide or salt form;   fluorodioxoles; and   fluorosilanes.   
     
     
         4 . The multi-layered article according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one hydrogenated monomer comprises non-fluorinated monomers selected from the group comprising: C 2 -C 8  non-fluorinated olefins (OI); diene monomers;
 vinyl monomers; acrylic monomers; styrene monomers; and silicon-containing monomers.   
     
     
         5 . The multi-layered article according to  claim 4 , wherein said silicon-containing monomer comprises:
 silane, such as CH 2 ═CH 2 —Si(R f4 ) 3  wherein each of R f4  is independently selected from H, F and C 1 -C 3  alkyl;   siloxane of formula (R) 3 Si—O—Si(R) 3  and (R) 2 Si(OH) 2 , wherein each R is independently selected from H, linear or branched alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and a phenyl group.   
     
     
         6 . The multi-layered article according to  claim 1 , wherein said groups (N) are grafted onto said surface (S). 
     
     
         7 . The multi-layered article according to  claim 1 , wherein said compound (M) comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of: Rh, Ir, Ru, Ti, Re, Os, Cd, Tl, Pb, Bi, In, Sb, Al, Ti, Cu, Ni, Pd, V, Fe, Cr, Mn, Co, Zn, Mo, W, Ag, Au, Pt, Ir, Ru, Pd, Sn, Ge, Ga and alloys thereof 
     
     
         8 . A method for manufacturing a multi-layered article, said method comprising the steps of:
 (i) providing an article made of an elastomeric composition (C) comprising at least one elastomer, said article having at least one surface (S-1);   (ii) forming nitrogen-containing groups (N) on said at least one surface (S-1) so as to provide an elastomer article having at least one nitrogen-containing surface (S-2);   (iii) contacting said at least one surface (S-2) with a first composition (C1) comprising at least one metallization catalyst, so as to provide an article having at least one surface (S-3) containing groups (N) and at least one metallization catalyst; and   (iv) contacting said at least one surface (S-3) with a second composition (C2) containing at least one metal compound (M), so as to provide a multi-layered article having at least one surface (S) comprising groups (N) and at least one layer (L1) adhered to said surface (S) comprising at least one metal compound (M).   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said step (ii) is performed by treating said surface (S-1) in the presence of a nitrogen-containing gas. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said nitrogen-containing gas is selected from N 2 , NH 3  or mixtures thereof, optionally in admixture with nitrogen-free gas. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said composition (C2) is an electroless metallization plating bath, comprising at least one compound (M1), at least one reducing agent, at least one liquid medium and, optionally, one or more additives. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said composition (C3) comprises at least one compound (M2), at least one metal halide and, optionally, at least one ionic liquid. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said steps (iii) and (iv) are performed as a single step [step (iii-D)]. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said method comprises after step (iv), step (v) of applying a third composition (C3) containing at least one metal compound (M2) onto said surface (S).