Materials, methods of making, methods of use, and articles incorporating the materials

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to uncured compositions that comprise a mixture of an uncured rubber with a polymeric hydrogel which, when cured to form crosslinks in the rubber, form elastomeric materials. The present disclosure is also directed to methods of using the uncured compositions and the elastomeric materials. The elastomeric materials can be used to make and/or incorporated into various types of articles (e.g., footwear, apparel, sporting equipment, or components of each).

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An outsole comprising:
 a first elastomeric material;   wherein the first elastomeric material forms a first portion of an externally-facing side of the outsole;   wherein the first elastomeric material includes a mixture of a first cured rubber and a first polymeric hydrogel at a first concentration, in which the first polymeric hydrogel is distributed throughout and entrapped by a first polymeric network including the first cured rubber, and the first elastomeric material has a water uptake capacity of at least 40 percent by weight based on a total weight of the first elastomeric material present in the first portion;   wherein the outsole comprises a second material, wherein the second material forms a second portion of the externally-facing side of the outsole, wherein at least a first edge of the first portion and at least a second edge of the second portion contact one another, wherein the second material includes a second cured rubber that is substantially free of one or more polymeric hydrogels; and   wherein the second portion and the first portion are attached to one another by crosslinking bonds, and an interface between the first portion and the second portion is substantially free of adhesive.   
     
     
         2 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein first polymeric hydrogel is physically entrapped by the first polymeric network, or is chemically bonded to the first polymeric network, or both. 
     
     
         3 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the first polymeric hydrogel is selected from the group consisting of: a polyurethane hydrogel, a polyamide hydrogel, a polyurea hydrogel, a polyester hydrogel, a polycarbonate hydrogel, and a polyetheramide hydrogel. 
     
     
         4 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the first polymeric hydrogel comprises a polyurethane hydrogel. 
     
     
         5 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the first elastomeric material includes a colorant, and the colorant is selected from a dye, pigment, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein first elastomeric material includes from about 30 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of the first polymeric hydrogel based on a total weight of the first elastomeric material present in the first portion. 
     
     
         7 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the second material forms one or more traction elements on the externally-facing side of the outsole. 
     
     
         8 . The outsole of  claim 7 , wherein the first portion is an area separating the two or more traction elements. 
     
     
         9 . The outsole of  claim 7 , wherein the traction elements are selected from the group consisting of: a cleat, a stud, a spike, and a lug. 
     
     
         10 . The outsole of  claim 7 , wherein the traction elements are integrally formed with an outsole of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         11 . The outsole of  claim 7 , wherein the traction elements are removable traction elements. 
     
     
         12 . The outsole of  claim 7 , wherein the elastomeric material is not disposed on tip of the traction element configured to be ground contacting. 
     
     
         13 . The outsole of  claim 7 , wherein the second cured rubber is a cured butadiene rubber, a cured styrene-butadiene (SBR) rubber, a cured butyl rubber, a cured isoprene rubber, a cured nitrile rubber, a cured urethane rubber, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The outsole of  claim 7 , wherein the first elastomeric material is attached to a textile. 
     
     
         15 . The outsole of  claim 14 , wherein the textile is a knit textile, a woven textile, a non-woven textile, a braided textile a crocheted textile, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein first elastomeric material comprises a plurality of fibers, one or more yarns, one or more textiles, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the first elastomeric material is attached to, a plurality of fibers, one or more yarns, one or more textiles, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the first elastomeric material is attached to a midsole. 
     
     
         19 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the first elastomeric material is attached to a substrate that comprises a polymeric foam, a molded solid polymeric material, a textile, or a combination thereof.