| abstract |
(57) [Summary]nHoses are often reinforced with fabric to improve their performance characteristics such as burst strength. For example, radiator hoses used in automotive applications are generally reinforced with continuous yarn. However, the method of producing such hoses containing fiber reinforcement is a labor intensive method. The production of such fiber reinforced hoses also generally produces substantial amounts of material waste. By using the method of the present invention, a hose having a high level of burst strength can be manufactured without including a continuous yarn reinforcement. More specifically, the present invention provides a polypropylene / polyethylene alloy comprising (1) (a) (i) a low melt index polyethylene and (ii) polypropylene, wherein the polypropylene is the polyethylene in the polypropylene / polyethylene alloy. The polypropylene / polyethylene alloy uniformly dispersed throughout, (b) EPDM rubber, (c) carbon black, (d) at least one curing agent, (e) zinc oxide, (f) process oil and (g) ) Extruding a rubber composition comprising stearic acid into a tube; (2) shaping the tube into the desired geometric shape for a hose; and (3) extruding the rubber composition from 130 to 210. A method of making a hose, comprising the step of making a hose by curing at a temperature in the range of ° C. |