A New Process for the Preparation of Highly Saturated Nitrile Rubber in Latex Form

Abstract

Abstract A novel process for the preparation of highly saturated nitrile rubber latex has been developed. This process directly converts NBR latex into HNBR latex in one reaction step. The key to the process is the efficient in-situ generation of diimide within the latex by the oxidation of hydrazine hydrate in the presence of a catalyst. At 40–70°C, diimide smoothly and selectively reduces the olefinic bonds while leaving other functionalities unaffected. The process operates at ambient pressures and produces nitrogen and water as by-products. HNBR latex produced by this process has been applied to the manufacture of superior heat-resistant gasketing via the “Beater-Addition” method. This unique new form of HNBR maintains the well known benefits of HNBR (e.g., solvent, heat, and ozone resistance, etc.) while expanding its potential applications into latex-related products.