Inventors:
Jaclyn Beth Laurich - Tallmadge OH
Gary Lee Burroway - Doylestown OH
James Walter Horvath - Cuyahoga Falls OH
Assignee:
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company - Akron OH
International Classification:
B32B 2700
Abstract:
There is a need for polymers which are utilized in automotive interiors which offer good color stability as well as a high level of heat and ultraviolet light resistance. It is particularly critical for polymers which are utilized in making skin compounds for automotive instrument and door panels to have excellent color stability as well as excellent heat and ultraviolet light resistance. This invention discloses a rubbery polymer which can be blended with polyvinyl chloride to make leathery compositions having good color stability, heat resistance and ultraviolet light resistance, said rubbery polymer being comprised of repeat units which are derived from (a) butyl acrylate, or optionally a mixture of butyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate containing up to about 40 percent 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, (b) at least one member selected from the group consisting of methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate and ethyl acrylate, (c) acrylonitrile, (d) styrene, (e) a conjugated diene monomer and (f) a crosslinking agent; wherein the repeat units which are derived from the conjugated diene monomer are epoxidized. Such leathery compositions offer an excellent combination of properties for utilization in making skin compounds for panels used in automotive applications.