Dimercaptan terminated polythioether polymers and methods for making and using the same

Abstract

Dimercaptan terminated polythioether polymers are disclosed, as are methods for making and using the same.

1 . A dimercaptan terminated polythioether polymer having the formula (I):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein each R 1  is the same and is represented by the formula (II):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     X is O or S; a is 2 to 6; b is 1 to 5; c is 2 to 10; n is 1 or greater, and R 2  is a diene residue other than a divinylether residue, a triene residue, or a residue from an organic compound having a terminal leaving group.  
   
   
       2 . The polymer of  claim 1 , wherein X is O; a is 2; b is 2; c is 2; n is 1, and R 2  is the residue of vinyl cyclohexene.  
   
   
       3 . A composition comprising the polymer of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       4 . A composition comprising the polymer of  claim 2 .  
   
   
       5 . A sealant comprising the polymer of  claim 1  and a curing agent.  
   
   
       6 . A sealant comprising the polymer of  claim 2  and a curing agent.  
   
   
       7 . The sealant of  claim 5 , wherein the curing agent is MnO 2 .  
   
   
       8 . The sealant of  claim 6 , wherein the curing agent is MnO 2 .  
   
   
       9 . The sealant of  claim 5 , wherein the viscosity is 10 to 20,000 poise.  
   
   
       10 . The sealant of  claim 6 , wherein the viscosity is 10 to 20,000 poise.  
   
   
       11 . A method for making the polymer of  claim 1 , comprising mixing two moles of the compound having Formula (II):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     with one mole of diene, triene or an organic compound having a terminal leaving group.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein X is O; a, b, and c are 2; n is 1, and the diene is vinyl cyclohexene.  
   
   
       13 . A method for sealing an aperture comprising applying to a surface associated with said aperture the sealant of  claim 5 .  
   
   
       14 . A method for sealing an aperture comprising applying to a surface associated with said aperture the sealant of  claim 6 .  
   
   
       15 . The composition of  claim 3 , further comprising a polymer blend comprising a polysulfide and a polythioether.  
   
   
       16 . The composition of  claim 4 , further comprising a polymer blend comprising a polysulfide and a polythioether.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the surface is a surface of an aviation or aerospace vehicle.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the surface is a surface of an aviation or aerospace vehicle.