Mechanical, Vulcametric, and Thermal Properties of the Different 5-ethylidene 2-norbornene Content of Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer Vulcanized with Different Types and Compositions of Peroxides

Ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer (EPDM) rubber is an important commercial polymer. The vulcanization process significantly changes its thermal, mechanical, and vulcametric properties. This study was carried out to find optimum formulation of EPDM composite for a better application in automotive industry. Sixteen EPDM polymer samples having different 5-ethylidene 2-norbornene (ENB) and ethylene contents were vulcanized with different types and compositions of pet-oxide and coagents. The mechanical and vulcametric properties of these samples were measured and compared. The type of peroxide, coagent, and EPDM grade affected the mechanical, thermal, and vulcametric properties of the EPDM rubber to some extend. Use of aromatic peroxide and coagent increased the thermal stability slightly. Mechanical properties were changed very slightly with the change of peroxide type for the same content of peroxide and coagent. Scorch time and cure time decreased with initial increase of the peroxide content. EPDM compound vulcanized with BBPIB peroxide and TAC/S coagent has higher cure time than EPDM compound vulcanized with DMBPHa peroxide and TMPTMA coagent. Coran method was used for the modeling of experimental data. Velocity constant for the formation of peroxide radical and polymer radical were found for each case. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Appl Polym Sci 112:1891-1896, 2009