Joseph C. Patrick

Dr. Joseph Cecil Patrick (August 28, 1892 – April 12, 1965) invented Thiokol, America's first synthetic rubber in the early 1920s.^[1] While seeking a formulation for automotive antifreeze, he attempted to hydrolyze ethylene dichloride with sodium polysulfide. In doing so, he produced a brown, insoluble gum that later became known as Thiokol.^[2][3] He solved commercial production problems by inventing the suspension polymerization process, and solved compounding problems by degrading high molecular weight polymer to a low molecular weight liquid polymer. This material is one of the principal binders for rocket propellant.^[4]

Patrick was the 1958 recipient of the Charles Goodyear Medal.^[5]

References

1. "This isn't Antifreeze!". The Polymer Science Learning Center. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
2. Herbert, Attilio Bisio., Vernon (1985). Synthetic Rubber: A Project That Had to Succeed. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press.
3. Edwards, Douglas C. (2001). "Chap. 5 - Liquid Rubber". In Bhowmick, Anil K.; Stephens, Howard (eds.). Handbook of Elastomers, Second Edition (First ed.). Marcel Dekker Inc. p. 135. ISBN 0-8247-0383-9. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
4. Seymour, Raymond B. (1989). "J.C. Patrick Father of American Synthetic Elastomers". Pioneers in Polymer Science. Springer. pp. 111–118. doi:10.1007/978-94-009-2407-9_9. ISBN 978-94-009-2407-9.
5. "Charles Goodyear Medallists" (PDF). www.rubber.org. American Chemical Society, Rubber Division. 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2015.