IMPROVED POLYMER COMPOSITION AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING VULCANIZATES THEREOF

摘要

A polymer composition useful to produce a vulcanizate having improved hot air aging properties is described. The polymer composition includes two components. The first component is a polymer having a main polymer chain derived from: (i) at least about 30% by weight of a first monomer which introduces at least one of a secondary carbon and a tertiary carbon to the backbone, and (ii) from 0 to about 70 % by weight of at least one other monomer. The second component is a salt of a strong base and a weak acid, the salt comprising a metal selected from Group I of the Periodic Table of Elements. The polymer compositions may further comprise optional ingredients such as one or more of: a vulcanization system, a polycarbodiimi de and a filler.