EP0766605A1

EP0766605A1 - Flocked articles based on a foam or casting compound

Info

Publication number: EP0766605A1
Application number: EP95910511A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kai Horeis; Norbert Themar; Alexander Ritt; Luzie Brandl; Franz Peter Schmitz
Original assignee: HB Fuller Licensing and Financing Inc
Current assignee: HB Fuller Licensing and Financing Inc
Priority date: 1994-02-24
Filing date: 1995-02-22
Publication date: 1997-04-09
Also published as: MX9603614A; CN1141600A; CA2182663A1; AU1759095A; WO1995023035A1; JPH09509374A

Abstract

The invention relates to a flocked article, more particularly based on a foam or a casting compound, for example for seals, in which the flocking material is introduced directly into, more particularly partially embedded in, the surface of the article. The invention also relates to a process for flocking an article, more particularly based on a foam or a casting compound, in which the flocking material is introduced directly into the incompletely solidified surface of the article, more particularly of the foam or casting compound. The article consists preferably of a foam produced from at least two foamable reactive components, one of which is an aqueous polymer polyol component and the other an NCO-containing component.

Description

Flocked article based on foam or potting compound

Description

The invention relates to the production of flocked articles based on a foam or a potting compound such as seals, heat and sound insulation, profiles, upholstery and packaging materials, containers, cases and the like. Like., Which have an at least partially flocked surface.

Articles made of plastics or synthetic resins with a flocked surface are known. In known flocking techniques, the articles to be flocked are finished in their intended form and then provided with a thin layer of adhesive. In a subsequent operation, fibers for staining the surface are then introduced into the adhesive layer. The glue serves «_-! - ^• i: i --.- i -----. I ^ i between the fibers and the surface of the article. This technology has been used to flock cases, but also profiles for the automotive industry. The flocking serves different purposes: in a case, the surface should be softer and therefore less abrasive and scratchy; in the case of a profile, its slidability should be improved during installation.

The flocked articles produced according to the prior art have the disadvantage, on the one hand, that the production of such flocked articles is technically relatively complex and expensive due to the large number of necessary process steps. On the other hand, the flocked adhesive layer can detach itself from the article in question over a large area, for example due to mechanical influences. DE 15 92 466 C3 and DE-OS 18 08 821 have disclosed polyurethane foam seals which are produced from the components at the point of use by free foaming. Products that are foamed in grooves with low viscosities, as well as those that can be freely foamed on flat surfaces due to their thixotropic properties, are known from DΞ-GM 92 17 694. These products are not flocked and can hardly be produced using conventional techniques, ie applying a flock adhesive and subsequent flocking. Although the mechanical resistance, in particular the tear and tear resistance, has meanwhile been improved, seals made from these materials still have poor sliding properties. Because of the poor sliding properties, there is, for example, the risk that such seals during installation or during relative movements during use from the ground «Ciucn, or that the surface tears. As a result, the sealing properties and the service life of such seals are considerably deteriorated.

The invention is therefore based on the object of producing a flocked article, in particular based on a foam or a casting compound, for example for seals (also produced in situ), profiles, heat and sound insulation, upholstery and packaging materials, surface coatings of cylindrical parts such as hoses and tubes, but also for containers, cases and the like. To create the. With high strength, tear resistance, tear resistance u. Like. The flocking layer has significantly improved durability and improved sliding properties and can be produced with reduced effort and lower costs. The above exemplary list of possible embodiments of the flocked articles according to the invention is not restrictive, rather the invention can be used advantageously for all applications in which flocking can be provided on a surface that has not yet been consolidated.

This object is achieved according to the invention in the case of a flocked article, in particular based on a foam or a potting compound of the type mentioned at the outset, in that the flocking material is (or is) introduced directly into the material surface which is still sufficiently solidified.

The period in which this flocking is carried out for foams begins approximately with the expiration of the pot life, extends over the range of the rising time and ends approximately with the beginning of the non-stickiness of the surface. This period of flocking can last for half an hour or longer.

In principle, all foams which have a soft surface accessible to flocking are suitable for flocking in accordance with the invention. So far, no foams are known that could not be flocked according to the invention.

Suitable components of reactive components for foams include, for example, polystyrene, styrene copolymers, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonates, polyolefins, polyurethanes, polyisocyanates, polycarbodiimides, polymethacrylimides, polyamides, phenolic resins, urea resins, silicones, silicone rubber or a mixture of two or more of these substances .

For foam production from a two-component material, the following are preferably considered, for example: - As component A: all compounds with at least two Zerewitinov-active H atoms, the properties of the finished product being able to be varied widely via the molecular structure of the component and its chain length;

- as component B: all compounds containing at least two isocyanate groups (NCO groups) which can react with Zerewitinov-active H atoms (component A); polyisocyanates based on 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) are particularly preferred.

Component A can comprise one or more polyols, also in a mixture with one another and with other constituents.

A first basic type of preferred polyols for component A is based on polyethers and their modification products. In particular, polyethers based on e.g. Ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, tetrahydrofuran, and corresponding copolyethers. It can be provided that the (co) polyether has grafted-on side chains derived from acrylonitrile or styrene monomers.

Another basic type of preferred polyols for component A is based on polyesters and their modification products. From here, the aliphatic polyesters melting below about 20 ° C., such as, for. B. polyalkylene adipates and polyalkylene carbonates, particularly preferred.

Polyalkenes provided with hydroxyl groups, such as e.g. OH-derivatized polybutadiene preferred at room temperature.

As a chain extender, the polyol component can advantageously be diols such as butanediol, hexanediol and the like, low molecular weight diamines such as diaminohexane, low molecular weight Contain amino-terminated polyols (eg bifunctional Jeffamine ^® ). Also, the polyol component A can be advantageously used (usually in small relative proportions) include those polyfunctional compounds having more than two Zerewitinov-active protons, such as in particular, for example, triethanolamine, thylolpropan trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, Texacat ^® DPA, trifunctional Jeffamine ^® and amine end-capped Polyols such as the products commercially available under the name Polamine ^® .

Component A can advantageously be e.g. contain dispersed polyurea. Component A can also contain levels, including very high levels, of customary further additives such as catalyst, pigment, thixotropic agents, dispersed and dissolved inorganic and organic compounds and hydrophobicizing agents. In addition, component A is usually at least provided with the water content which is required for the foaming reaction.

Component B preferably contains one or more isocyanate compounds of the following types of compounds listed by way of example:

- Diphenylmethane diisocyanate, and commercially available, slightly modified diphenylmethane diisocyanate products

- prepolymers as Desmodur ^® PF, Mondur ^® PF, or Isonate® M 342 ^®, which are isocyanate reaction products of Diphenylmethandi¬ Diphenylmethandiisocyanatoligomeren or with di- and / or tripropylene glycol-treated;

- reaction products of such prepolymers with a molar deficit of polyols;

- reaction products of diphenylmethane diisocyanate with a molar deficit of longer-chain, essentially bifunctional polyols; - Uretonimine-modified diphenylmethane diisocyanate derivatives such as Suprasec ^® 2020 or Desmodur ^® CD, in which the modification consists in particular in the introduction of side groups or side chains;

- Reaction products of such modified isocyanates with a molar deficit of polyols.

Other isocyanate compounds formed analogously can also be used. For example, corresponding compounds based on other diisocyanates such as tolylene diisocyanate, hexane diisocyanate, hydrogenated diphenylmethane diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate and the like can be used.

In addition to one or more of these isocyanate compounds, component B may also contain conventional additives such as pigments, thixotropic agents, fillers and the like.

Instead, it is of course also possible, but usually not expedient, to add the additives mentioned to the two-component system separately from the polyol components of component A and isocyanate components of component B only when mixing.

Of the additives known in principle for setting parameters of such two-component systems, pyrogenic silica, surface-modified calcium carbonate and hydrogenated castor oil such as, for example, are suitable as thixotropic agents. B. Luvothix ^® HT. Metal soaps, for example aluminum stearates or zinc stearates, can be used, for example, as water repellents.

In an advantageous embodiment, the foam to be flocked is formed from a two-component material, wherein the content of the polyol compound (s) in component A up to about 99.5%, while the content of the isocyanate compound (s) in component B is about 50 to 100%.

According to a further preferred embodiment, component A contains a maximum of 95%, particularly preferably 80% to 95% of the polyol compound (s) and component B 60 to 100%, particularly preferably 80 to 100% of the isocyanate compound (s).

Embodiments according to the invention contain, for example, the following additives for component A:

Sufficient to excess water, preferably 0.1 to 5% and particularly preferably 0.5 to 2% water;

0- 5%, preferably 0-2%, particularly preferably 0- 1% catalyst 0- 3%, preferably 0-2%, particularly preferably 0- 1.5% pigment 0-30%, preferably 0-20% , especially preferably 0-10% thixotropic agent

0-50%, preferably 0-40%, particularly preferably 0-30% of at least one dispersed inorganic solid, 0-70%, preferably 0-50%, particularly preferably 0-30% of at least one dissolved inorganic or organic solid 0 -95%, preferably 0-70%, particularly preferably 0-50% of at least one non-reactive organic compound 0-50%, preferably 0-40%, particularly preferably 0-30% of a low molecular weight chain extender

0-25%, preferably 0-10%, particularly preferably 0-5% of a multifunctional Zerewitinov-active compound 0-20%, preferably 0-15%, particularly preferably 0-10% of a hydrophobicizing agent;

and for component B:

0-40%, preferably 0-30%, particularly preferably 0- 1% of a non-reactive organic compound,

0-3%, preferably 0-2%, particularly preferably 0-1.5% pigments, 0-30%, preferably 0-20%, particularly preferably 0-10% thixotropic agents.

The addition of at least one “dispersed inorganic solid” indicated for component A is at least partially customary additives such as fillers, in particular CaCO ₃ , possibly also solids serving as adhesion promoters. This category also includes inorganic flame retardants and the like. the like

The at least one “dissolved inorganic or organic solid” specified below is an at least partially customary addition, such as extenders and modifiers for the physical and chemical properties of the foam.

The at least one "non-reactive organic compound" specified as an additive for components A and B is, for example, modifiers of the surface properties of the foam (in particular the integral skin) such as Propylene carbonate, plasticizers, dispersed organic flame retardants and the like. like.

It is preferred to provide the components with contents of the intended additives so that only the mixing of the two-component system, the initiation of the foaming reaction and the flocking have to take place at the place of use.

Further suitable, usable two-component materials, as well as mixing ratios and mixing properties are described in DE-GM 92 17 694 and in application PCT / EP93 / 03671.

Suitable casting compounds include polyurethanes, epoxy resins, polysiloxanes, bitumens, polysulfides, other synthetic resins and Putty or a mixture of two or more of these substances.

The items are flocked using known devices, such as those e.g. can also be used for conventional flocking. These devices allow dense flocking by means of electrostatic application of the fibers.

Suitable flocking materials can include, for example, both synthetic and natural fibers. In particular, synthetic fibers such as conventional textile fibers, for. B. of polyamide, polyester, acrylonitrile, polypropylene, but also inorganic fibers made of metal, glass, carbon, boron nitride, boron carbon, etc., can be used. Examples of natural fibers include wool, flax, cellulose and the like. Like ..

Suitable fibers have a length of approximately 5 mm. Depending on the intended use, the fiber can also be significantly shorter or longer.

According to a preferred embodiment, a polyamide fiber with a fiber length of approximately 0.5 is in a polyurethane foam formed from two components (A component ^ISA® -PUR 1023 and B component Haerter 302, both available from HB Füller GmbH, Munich) mm introduced on the surface. Such a flocked article has a velvet-like surface which is perceived as pleasant by the sensor.

According to a further embodiment, a formed polyurethane foam components of two Kompo¬ (A component: ISA -PUR ^® 1158 and B component: Haerter 302, available from HB filler GmbH, Munich) is a polyamide fiber having a fiber length of about 5 mm introduced on the surface. Such a flocked article has particularly good sliding properties. According to further advantageous embodiments, refractory seals, profiles, heat and sound insulation are obtained on the basis of silicone foams or casting compounds using suitable flocculants such as metal or glass fibers.

Of particular advantage are the materials specified for the production of seals which are foamed into a groove, for example by applying the mixed components which have not been reacted with one another, and those which, owing to their thixotropic properties, can be freely foamed on flat surfaces. While the initially thin material foams in the groove, the thixotropic material foams in the form of a sealing bead. After the foaming reaction has ended, the still sticky surface is flocked.

It has been shown that the flocking of the material surface greatly increases the sliding properties compared to non-flocked materials. It has also been shown that the surface properties of such flocked articles can be influenced or adjusted both via the fiber length, fiber properties, flocking devices and also via the time of the staining. This applies in particular to the flocking of reactive foamed articles. In particular, in cooperation with the foams described above, which have a particularly strong and resistant integral skin, mechanically extremely stressable articles can be produced, e.g. are better suited as seals for high friction and sliding loads than articles flocked conventionally with adhesive.

The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following examples. Examples 1-7 include examples of two-component foams that can be flocked.

Example 1:

A component AI was formed by mixing 88.4% polyether diol Arcol ^® 1025, 5.0% polyether triol Baycoll ^® BT 1380, 1.4% triethanolamine, 0.3% of amine catalyst Dabco 33LV ^®, 0.1% organometallic catalyst Irgastab ^® DBTL, 1.4% water, 0.4% color paste Moltoprene ^® AUN and 3.0% modified castor oil Luvothix ^® HT.

Example 2:

A component A2 was formed by mixing 92.4% polyether diol Arcol ^® 1025, 1.6% triethanolamine, 0.3% Aminkata¬ lyst Dabco 33LV ^®, 0.2% metallorganisσhem catalyst Ir¬ gastab ^® DBTL, 1.4% Water, 0.5% color paste Moltoprene ^® AUN, 3.0% surface-modified calcium carbonate Winnofil ^® SPT and 0.6% pyrogenic silica HDK N 20.

Example 3:

A component A3 was formed by mixing 69.3% high molecular weight polyether triol Baycoll ^® BT 5035, 8.0% polyether sterdiol Baycoll ^® AD 1280 10.0% hydroxyl-terminated polybutylene tadien Liquiflex ^® H, 10.0% aliphatic polyester Best ^® 105, 1.0% triethanolamine, 0.3% amine catalyst Dabco ^® 33 LV, 0.2% organometallic catalyst Irgastab ^® DBTL, 0.7% water, 0.5% color paste Moltoprene ^® AUN and 0.5% pyrogenic silica HDK ^® N 20.

Example 4:

An isocyanate-terminated prepolymer was used as component B1 used, which is commercially available as NCO component for elastic unfoamed polyurethanes under the name Desmodur ^® PF.

Example 5:

As component B2 an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer of 64.8% of the component Bl according to Example 4 with 34.9% hoch¬ molecular polyether Baycoll ^® BT 5035 and 0.01% Stabi¬ lisator (benzoyl chloride) was used.

Example 6:

As component B3, a diphenylmethane diisocyanate modified with uretonimine and having a functionality of 2.05 to 2.2 was used, which is commercially available under the name Suprasec ^® VM 2050.

Example 7:

The commercially available product "Hardener 302" from H. B. Füller GmbH Munich was used as component B4. This is a state-of-the-art diisocyanate component for conventional polyurethane foam seals.

The components of Examples 1 to 7 were mixed and discharged in a dynamic mixing chamber of a conventional two-component mixing and metering system. Care was taken to ensure that the A component was "loaded" with air to a sufficient extent in order to achieve the nucleation for the foam formation.

The following mixing ratios were used: Al / Bl 100: 42 A2 / B1 100: 50 A3 / B1 100: 30

A1 / B2 100: 70 A2 / B2 100: 75 A3 / B2 100: 50

A1 / B3 100: 23 A2 / B3 100: 24 A3 / B3 100: 23

A1 / B4 100: 18 A2 / B4 100: 20 A3 / B4 100: 20

Foam castings of approx. 10 cm in diameter and approx. 4 cm in height were created from the mixtures thus discharged. The castings formed a particularly strong integral skin, into which a part of the castings had a fiber flocking introduced prior to curing (electrostatically as in Example 8). The surfaces flocked in this way proved to be much more mechanically resistant than the surfaces of another part of the castings, which were flocked conventionally with an adhesive application.

Example 8

A two-component polyurethane foam, consisting of component A there are suitable ISA -PUR ^® 1023 and the B component was 302 Haerter-component mixing and metering two coated from a on a flat surface. The thixotropic material foams in the form of a sealing bead. After the foaming reaction had ended, the still sticky surface was removed using polyamide flake fibers (fiber length approx. 0.5 mm) and at a voltage of 45 kV and a current of 0.3 mA (device: Static 60, Maag & Schenk, Reutlingen) flocked. The flocked article had a surface with a pleasant, velvety consistency and excellent sliding properties, which was found to be particularly abrasion-resistant.

Example 9

A two-component polyurethane foam consisting of component A ISA ^® -PUR 1158 and component B Haerter 302 was made from a two-component mixing and dosing system in filled a housing groove. The initially thin material foams in the groove. After the foaming reaction had ended, the still sticky surface was removed using polyamide flock fibers (fiber length approx. 0.5 mm) at a voltage of 45 kV and a current of 0.3 mA (device: Static 60, Maag & Schenk, Reutlingen) flocked. The seal produced in this way showed good sliding properties without noticeable loss of flocking fibers and without mechanical damage, even under high loads.

Claims

Expectations

1. Flocked article, in particular based on a foam or a potting compound, for example for seals, characterized in that the flocking material is introduced directly into the surface of the article, in particular is partially embedded.

2. Flocked article according to claim 1, characterized in that the article is formed from a foam of at least two foamable reactive components.

3. Flocked article according to claim 2, characterized in that the one, aqueous, component (A) is a polymeric polyol component and the other component (B) is an NCO-containing component, the two components (A, B ) each contain further additives if necessary.

4. Flocked article according to claim 3, wherein the polyol of component (A) is a polyether or copolyether, in particular based on one or more monomers such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, tetrahydrofuran and the like, and the polyol optionally at room temperature is liquid.

5. Flocked article according to claim 4, in which the polyether diol carries grafted side chains, in particular grafted side chains derived from acrylonitrile repeat units, styrene repeat units or the like.

6. Flocked article according to claim 3, wherein the polyol is an aliphatic polyester with a melting point of less than about 20 ° C, in particular a polyalkylene adipate or polyalkylene carbonate.

7. Flocked article according to claim 3, in which the polyol is a polyalkene or polyalkadiene, in particular polybutadiene, which is liquid at room temperature and provided with OH groups.

8. Flocked article according to one of claims 3 to 7, in which the polyol content of component (A) is formed by a mixture of polyols according to at least one of claims 3 to 7, optionally with the addition of a polyol with dispersed. Polyurea.

9. Flocked article according to one of claims 3 to 8, in which the isocyanate portion of component (B) consists essentially of bifunctional compounds.

10. Flocked article according to one of claims 3 to 9, in which an essentially bifunctional isocyanate-terminated prepolymer is used as the isocyanate.

11. Flocked article according to claim 10, in which the prepolymer is a reaction product of diphenylmethane diisocyanate and / or a derivative thereof or a reaction product of diphenylmethane diisocyanate or diphenylmethane diisocyanate oligomers and di- and / or tripropylene glycol.

12. Flocked article according to claim 11, in which the prepolymer is formed from a reaction product according to claim 11 or from diphenylmethane diisocyanate or diphenylmethane diisocyanate oligomers and at least one polyol in molar deficiency of the polyol portion.

13. Flocked article according to claim 12, in which the prepolymer is formed from a reaction product of diphenylmethane diisocyanate and a molar deficit of longer-chain, essentially bifunctional polyols.

14. Flocked article according to claim 9, which contains a uretonimine-modified diphenyl methane diisocyanate as component isocyanate component B.

15. Flocked article according to claim 9, which contains as the isocyanate portion of component B a reaction product of a uretonimine-modified diphenylmethane diisocyanate according to claim 14 with at least one polyol in molar deficiency of the polyol portion.

16. Flocked article according to one of claims 3 to 15, in which at least one diol such as in particular butanediol, hexanediol and the like is used as the polyol chain extender for component A.

17. Flocked article according to one of claims 3 to 16, in which at least one low molecular weight Dian.in, in particular diaminohexane and the like, and / or at least one low molecular weight polyol with amino end groups is used as the polyol chain extender for component A.

18. Flocked article according to one of claims 3 to 17, which contains polyfunctional hydroxyl and / or amino compounds such as, in particular, triethanolamine, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, amine-end-capped polyols and the like.

19. Flocked article according to one of claims 3 to 18, containing a thixotropic agent such as in particular pyrogenic silica, surface-modified calcium carbonate and / or hydrogenated castor oil.

20. Flocked article according to one of claims 3 to 19, which contains a hydrophobizing agent, preferably a metal soap such as in particular aluminum stearate or zinc stearate.

21. Flocked article according to one of claims 3 to 20, characterized in that the one component (A) at most 99.5%, preferably at most 95% and particularly preferably 80% - 95% polyol and the other component (B) 50 to Contains 100%, preferably 60-100% and particularly preferably 80-100% of an NCO-terminated prepolymer.

22. Flocked article according to one of claims 3 to 21, characterized in that one component (A) as additives for the foaming reaction is sufficient to excess water, 0-5% catalyst, 0-3% pigment, 0-30 % Thixotropic agent, 0-50% of a dispersed inorganic solid such. B. a filler and / or Haftungsvermitt¬ lers, in particular CaC0 ₃ , a flame retardant u. Like., 0- 70% of a dissolved inorganic or organic solid such. B. an extender and / or a conventional additive for modifying the physical or chemical properties of the foam, 0-95% of a non-reactive organic compound such as. B. an agent for adjusting the surface properties of the foam, a plasticizer, a flame retardant and the like, 0-50% of a low molecular chain extender, 0-25% of a multifunctional Zerewininov-active compound and 0-20% of a hydrophobizing agent - By means of, and the other component (B) as additives 0-40% of a non-reactive organic compound such as. B. contains an agent for adjusting the surface properties of the foam, a plasticizer, a flame retardant and the like, 0-3% pigments and 0-30% thixotropic agent ent.

23. Flocked article according to one of claims 3 to 21, characterized in that component (A) as additive substances 0.1-5% water, 0-2% catalyst, 0-2% pigment, 0-20% thixotropic agent , 0-40% of a dispersed inorganic solid such. B. a filler and / or liability Mediator, especially CaC0 ₃ , a flame retardant u. Like., 0-50% of a dissolved inorganic or organic solid such. B. an extender and / or a conventional additive for modifying the physical or chemical properties of the foam, 0-70% of a non-reactive organic compound such as. B. an agent for adjusting the surface properties of the foam, a plasticizer, a flame retardant and the like, 0-40% of a low molecular chain extender, 0-10% of a multi-functional Zerewitinov-active compound and 0-15% of a hydrophobizing agent, and the other Component (B) as additives 0-30% of a non-reactive organic compound such as. B. contains an agent for adjusting the surface properties of the foam, a plasticizer, a flame retardant and the like, contains 0-2% pigments and 0-20% thixotropic agent.

24. Flocked article according to one of claims 3 to 21, characterized in that the one component (A) as additives 0.5-2% water, 0-1% catalyst, 0-1.5% pigment, 0- 10% thixotropic agent, 0-30% of a dispersed inorganic solid such. B. a filler and / or adhesion promoter, in particular CaC0 ₃ , a flame retardant u. Like., 0-30% of a dissolved inorganic or organic solid such. B. an extender and / or a conventional additive for modifying the physical or chemical properties of the foam, 0-50% of a non-reactive organic compound such as. B. an agent for adjusting the surface properties of the foam, a plasticizer, a flame retardant and the like, 0-30% of a low-molecular chain extender and 0-5% of a multifunctional Zerewitinov-active compound and 0-10% of a hydrophobizing agent, and the other component ( B) as additives 0-1% of a non-reactive organic compound such. B. a means for adjusting the surface properties of the foam, a plasticizer, a flame retardant and the like, contains 0-1.5% pigments and 0-10% thixotropic agent.

25. Flocked article according to claim 1, characterized in that the article is formed from a casting compound, which comprises in particular polyurethanes, epoxy resins, polysiloxanes, bitumens, polysulfides, other synthetic resins and putties or a mixture of two or more of these substances.

26. Flocked article according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the flocking material consists of synthetic and / or natural fibers.

27. Flocked article according to claim 26, characterized in that the length of the fibers is approximately 5 mm.

28. Flocked article according to claim 27, characterized in that the flocked article consists of refractory material.

29. Flocked article according to one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that the flocked surface has a velvety consistency.

30. A process for flocking an article, in particular based on a foam or a potting compound, for example for seals, characterized in that the flocking material is introduced directly into the not yet fully solidified surface of the article, in particular the foam or the potting compound.

31. A method for flocking an article according to claim 30, characterized in that after a foaming group has expired, the flocking material is introduced into the still sticky surface of the foam.

32. A method of flocking an article according to claim 31, characterized in that the flocking of the surface of the article takes place approximately between the expiry of the pot life and the beginning of the lack of tack, in particular during the rising time of the foam.

33. Method for flocking an article according to one of claims 30 to 32, characterized in that the flocking material is introduced into the still sticky surface of the article to be flocked by applying a static electric field.

34. A method of flocking an article according to claim 33, characterized in that polyamide flake fiber is introduced into the not yet fully consolidated surface of the article to be flocked at a voltage of approximately 45 KV and a current of approximately 0.3 mA.