MAGNETIC DISPERSIONS OF RARE EARTH MAGNETIC PARTICLES WITH HIGH MAGNETIC ENERGY PRODUCT IN FLEXIBLE HIGHLY SATURATED NITRILE RUBBER AND METHODS OF PROCESSING THE SAME

A flexible magnetic blend composition is provided which is comprised of high energy rare earth magnetic particles in a flexible high temperature resistant and oil resistant polymer binder. The binder system preferably comprises a highly saturated nitrile rubber (HSN) or a polymer alloy of the same in which a HSN is the major polymer and also contains additives which are compatible with processing, subsequent electron beam curing, and final product performance. The binder system is highly loaded, usually from about 50 to about 70 volume percent, with the high energy rare earth magnetic particles, which can produce bonded magnets with a maximum energy product of at least 2.5 megagauss-oersteds, a remenance, Br of at least 3400 gauss, a coercive force, Hc, of at least 2900 oersteds and an intrinsic coercivity, Hci, of at least 5000 oersteds. The process for production of this system involves the binder system and rare earth magnetic particles being mixed and then formed into a final geometry before being cured by high voltage electron beam radiation. The electron beam curing in the solid state fixes dimensional stability, magnetic properties, and oil, solvent and chemical resistance of the part even when exposed to subsequent hostile temperature environments of 100C or higher. Further, the HSN binder system reduces oxidation of the rare earth magnetic particles from subsequent hot air aging when compared to conventional nitrile elastomer binder systems. Any off geometry parts or trim produced in the process prior to radiation curing can be recycled through processing several times without fear of premature cure.