Power transmission belts having enhanced properties

Abstract

The present invention is directed to the incorporation of of functionalized polyethylenes, in amount of about 4% to 50% by weight based upon the weight of the elastomer, into ethylene alpha olefin elastomers, such as EPDM elastomer compositions, which are crosslinked by peroxides, which results in improved properties, such as hardness and modulus of elongation, and can result in improved higher abrasion resistance, wear resistance, coefficient of friction, tensile strength, and high temperature properties, which are beneficial to power transmission products, such as power transmission belts.

1 . An organic peroxide curable elastomer composition comprising: 
 (a) ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer,    (b) an organic peroxide curing agent, and    (c) 4 to 50% by weight, based upon the weight of the ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer, of a functionalized polyethylene.    
   
   
       2 . The elastomer composition of  claim 1  wherein ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer is ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer.  
   
   
       3 . The elastomer composition of  claim 1  wherein the functionalized polyethylene is crosslinkable with the ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer.  
   
   
       4 . The elastomer composition of  claim 1  wherein the functionalized polyethylene is an oxidized polyethylene.  
   
   
       5 . The elastomer composition of  claim 1  wherein the functionalized polyethylene is a copolymer of polyethylene and maleic anhydride.  
   
   
       6 . The elastomer composition of  claim 1  wherein wherein the functionalized polyethylene is present in an amount of 5 to 100 parts by weight.  
   
   
       7 . The elastomer composition of  claim 1  wherein wherein the functionalized polyethylene is present in an amount of 20 to 80 parts by weight.  
   
   
       8 . The elastomer composition of  claim 1  wherein the cured compound is in the form of a power transmission belt.  
   
   
       9 . The elastomer composition of  claim 1  wherein the cured compound is in the form of a power transmission belt selected from the group consisting of synchronous belts, v-belts, and multi-V-ribbed belts.  
   
   
       10 . The elastomer composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition further includes a filler.  
   
   
       11 . The elastomer composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition further includes a reinforcing fiber.  
   
   
       12 . The elastomer composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition further includes a salt of an α,β-unsaturated organic acid.  
   
   
       13 . The elastomer composition of  claim 12  wherein the salt of an α,β-unsaturated organic acid is zinc diacrylate.  
   
   
       14 . The elastomer composition of  claim 1  wherein the elastomer is a blend of elastomers.  
   
   
       15 . The elastomer composition of  claim 1  wherein the uncured composition comprises the following: 
 (a) 100 parts by weight of ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer,    (b) 5 to 100 parts by weight of a functionalized polyethylene which is crosslinkable with the elastomer, and    (c) 0.5 to 10 parts by weight of an organic peroxide curing agent.