Automotive fuel lines including a polyarylene sulfide

摘要

A fuel line comprising a thermoplastic composition is described. The thermoplastic compositions exhibit high strength and flexibility and can be used to form one or more layers of single layer or multi-layer fuel lines. Methods for forming the thermoplastic compositions are also described. Formation methods include dynamic vulcanization of a composition that includes an impact modifier dispersed throughout a polyarylene sulfide. A crosslinking agent is combined with the other components of the composition following dispersal of the impact modifier. The crosslinking agent reacts with the impact modifier to form crosslinks within and among the polymer chains of the impact modifier. The compositions can exhibit excellent physical characteristics at extreme temperatures.

主权项

1. A fuel line comprising a thermoplastic composition, the thermoplastic composition being formed by melt processing (i) a linear polyarylene sulfide containing less than about 1 mol. % of cross-linking units based on the total monomer units of the polyarylene sulfide, ii) from 20 wt. % to 35 wt. % of an epoxy-functionalized impact modifier, and (iii) from 1.0 wt % to 1.75 wt. % of a polyfunctional crosslinking agent that includes a dicarboxylic acid, wherein the crosslinking agent is supplied following distribution of the impact modifier with the polyarylene sulfide, and wherein the melt processing forms a crosslinked epoxy-functionalized impact modifier that is a reaction product of epoxy-functionalized monomer units and a polyfunctional crosslinking agent, the fuel line being a tubular member and including a hollow passage therethrough in the axial direction of the tubular member for passage of a fluid, wherein the composition exhibits a tensile elongation at break of about 70% or more as determined in accordance with ISO Test No. 527 at a temperature of 23° C. and at a speed of 50 mm/min.