Processable rubber compositions contain a vulcanized fluorocarbon
elastomer dispersed in a thermoplastic matrix comprising a fully
fluorinated polymer and a partially fluorinated polymer. The processing
temperature is below the melting point of the fully fluorinated polymer.
The compositions are made by combining a curative, uncured fluorocarbon
elastomer, a fully fluorinated thermoplastic, and a partially fluorinated
thermoplastic material, and heating the mixture at a temperature and for
a time sufficient to effect vulcanization of the elastomeric material,
while mechanical energy is applied to mix the mixture during the heating
step. Shaped articles such as seals, gaskets, O-rings, and hoses may be
readily formed from the rubber compositions according to conventional
thermoplastic processes such as blow molding, injection molding, and
extrusion.