IMPROVED ADHESIVE SYSTEM FOR BONDING SELECTED ELASTOMERS

A PROCESS FOR ADHESIVELY BONDING SELECTED ELASTOMERS IS PROPOSED WHICH CAN SIGNIFICANTLY SIMPLIFY ADHESIVE BONDED MANUFACTURING AND REPAIR PROCEDURES. THE PROPOSED RESEARCH EXPLORES THE FEASIBILITY OF USING NON-HAZARDOUS SURFACE TREATMENTS ON VULCANIZED RUBBER SUBSTRATES WHICH PROVIDE BONDS OF EQUAL OR GREATER STRENGTH THAN THE RUBBER ADHERENDS THEMSELVES. THESE NOVEL SURFACE TREATMENTS SHOULD PREPARE DIFFICULT-TO-ADHERE RUBBER SURFACES FOR STRONG, DURABLE BONDING WITH INEXPENSIVE, VERSATILE ADHESIVE WHICH ALSO STRONGLY ADHERES TO MORE POLAR SUBSTRATES SUCH AS METALS, GLASS, AND POLYEPICHLOROHYDRIN RUBBER. ADHESIVE BONDS PRODUCED BY THIS TECHNIQUE SHOULD ALSO EXHIBIT OUTSTANDING RESISTANCE TO ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSES SUCH AS U.V. RADIATION AND HYDROLYTIC DEGRADATION.