POLYMERIC COMPOSITION FOR SEALS AND GASKETS

The present invention relates to a polymeric composition which has an excellent combination of properties for use in making seals and gaskets for utilization in appliances, automotive applications, and building applications, such as window glazing gaskets. These polymeric compositions offer excellent dimensional stability, low compression set, outstanding sealing characteristics, low temperature flexibility, heat resistance and ultra-violet light resistance. The present invention more specifically discloses a polymeric composition having excellent characteristics for utilization in manufacturing seals and gaskets including dimensional stability, low compression set and outstanding sealing characteristics, said polymeric composition being comprised of a blend of (A) a thermoplastic resin selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, poly phenylene ether polystyrene, and styrene containing copolymer resins, (B) an elastomeric polymer selected from the group consisting of block copolymer comprising a first polymeric block that is comprised of repeat units that are derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer and a second block that is comprised of repeat units that are derived from a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein the repeat units in the second block are hydrogenated, and wherein the repeat units in the second block are elastomeric in nature, and a crosslinked olefinic elastomer, (C) a high molecular weight crosslinked diene elastomer comprised of repeat units that are derived from conjugated diene monomer selected from the group consisting of 1,3-butadiene and isoprene, wherein the high molecular weight diene elastomer has a weight average molecular weight of at least about 200,000, and (D) an oil.