A polymer laminate produced by crosshead extrusion suitable for wear resistant applications such as a vehicle glass run channel comprises a layer of a weather resistant rubber such as an ethylene-propylenediene (EPDM) rubber and a layer of a wear resistant thermoplastic such as polypropylene. The laminate is passed through an oven at an elevated temperature sufficient to cure the EPDM rubber, for example, at about 375.degree. F., with ambient temperature cooling fluid being blown over the exposed surface of the polypropylene thermoplastic. The interior polypropylene surface or interface is heated by the EPDM rubber which is at a high temperature as a result of the heat of extrusion and heat generated by cure thereof. As a result, the polypropylene interior surface or interface melts and causes it to flow and form a mechanical bond with the EPDM rubber while the exposed surface as well as a substantial portion of the polypropylene is kept from melting by the cooling fluid. The EPDM rubber can be extruded in the form of a channel having a longitudinal web which supports and is bonded to the laminated polypropylene wear strip to form a glass run channel.
CROSS-REFERENCE
This application is a division of application Ser. No. 07/148,247 filed Jan. 25, 1988, for "Cohesive Bonding Process for Forming a Laminate of a Wear Resistant Thermoplastic and a Weather Resistant Rubber."
A process for forming a glass run channel composite having a thin film of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene as a sealing contact surface and an elastomeric rubber as a substrate by film transfer rubber molding and the product formed thereby
The invention relates to certain low friction abrasion resistant polymer coatings. The polymer coatings consist of thermoplastic materials based on blends of elastomers with high density polyethylene comprising a high molecular weight component. The appropriate balance of crystallinity, durability and flexibility can be achieved by selecting the proper amount of low, medium and high molecular weight high density polyethylene. The coating is particularly useful for weatherstripping material for automobile window channels.
An insertable wear strip assembly is dimensioned for insertion into an associated cavity of an associated weatherseal. The wear strip assembly includes a generally U-shaped base portion having a base wall, and first and second sidewalls extending from the base wall for receiving the window glass. First and second compliant thin wall regions extend outwardly from the first and second sidewalls, respectively, for low friction, sliding engagement with the window glass. Optionally, the insertable wear strip is secured to the weatherseal via fasteners.
A glass run of the invention includes a furrow part on which a window glass moves and slides. The furrows of the furrow part are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the sliding direction of the window glass. When dirt or dust is deposited in between the window glass and the furrow part, it enters the furrows of the furrow part. The slanted configuration of the furrows of the furrow part, in combination with the sliding force of the window glass, moves dust or dirt along the furrows to a position where the dirt does not rub against the end face of the window glass. The structure of the invention keeps the window glass from undesirably rubbing dust or dirt, thus preventing an increase in sliding resistance and undesirable noise.
A weatherseal includes a supporting carrier, a body of elastomeric material formed on the carrier, a layer of decorative material disposed on a surface of the body, and a backbone of longitudinally incompressible material disposed between the decorative layer and the carrier for reducing wrinkling of the decorative layer when the weatherstrip is bent on a radius with the decorative layer inside. Another strip disposed adjacent to an irregular carrier eliminates irregularities from the surface of a thin portion of the elastomeric body and improves the appearance of the weatherseal.
