Fabric treatment for reinforced elastomeric articles

1. A method for treating a fabric for use in a reinforced elastomeric article, wherein the fabric is comprised of fibers, said method comprising the steps of:

(1) applying an elastomeric material to a fabric, wherein there are interstices between the fibers in the fabric, wherein the elastomeric material impregnates the interstices between the fibers in the fabric, wherein the elastomeric material is comprised of 20 to 80 parts per hundred cross-linkable material (phcm) of a liquid elastomer and a cross-linkable functionalized polyethylene, wherein the liquid elastomer is a liquid at room temperature, wherein the cross-linkable functionalized polyethylene is an oxidized polyethylene, and wherein prior to cure, the elastomeric material has a complex dynamic viscosity of less than 5 McP (5,000 N*s/m 2 ) for at least 2 minutes at a maximum flow temperature T F , wherein the elastomeric material is prepared by the following individual steps: (a) mixing the cross-linkable functionalized polyethylene with at least one liquid elastomer to form a non-productive extrudant, wherein the mixing occurs at a temperature within the range of 10° F. above or below the melt point of the cross-linkable functionalized polyethylene, (b) extruding the non-productive extrudant, and (c) mixing the non-productive extrudant with a peroxide curing agent, the mixing being sufficient to form a vulcanizable elastomer; and

(2) heating the elastomer coated fabric to a temperature within the range of 200° F. to 310° F. for at least two minutes, wherein the elastomeric material fully penetrates the fabric.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the fabric is pretreated with an adhesive.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the fabric comprises more than one layer of fabric.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the fabric is woven, knitted, needled, matted, or comprises a plurality of individual cords and nominal weft threads maintaining a spacing of the individual cords.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the fabric is incorporated into a reinforced elastomeric article, the article being selected from the group consisting of a belt, a hose, an air spring, and a tire.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid elastomer has a complex dynmaic viscosity less than 5 McP (5,000 N*s/m 2 ) at a temperature between 20° C. and the maximum flow temperature T F .

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric material comprises 25-60 phcm of liquid elastomer.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid elastomer is a butadiene rubber, NBR, HNBR, SBR, polychloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, polyisoprene rubber, propylene rubber, XNBR, CR, or EP(D)M rubber.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid elastomer has a complex dynamic viscosity less than 5 McP (5,000 N*s/Mm2) at a temperature between 20° C. and the maximum flow temperature TF.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric material comprises 25-60 phcm of liquid elastomer.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric material comprises 2-15 phcm of peroxide.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric material has an ethylene content of greater than 65%.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric material comprises about 25 phcm liquid EPM, about 25 phcm solid EPDM, and about 50 phcm oxidized polyethylene homopolymer.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric material comprises about 21.5 phcm liquid EPM, about 21.5 phcm solid EPDM, and about 57 phcm oxidized polyethylene homopolymer.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the cross-linkable functionalized polyethylene is an oxidized polyethylene homopolymer.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the functionalized polyethylene has a Brookfield viscosity of about 85,000 cps at 150° C.