Dual effect of maleic anhydride and gamma radiation on properties of EPDM/microcrystalline newsprint fiber composites

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of gamma irradiation, concentration of microcrystalline newsprint fibers (MNF) and maleic anhydride as coupling agent for treating microcrystalline newsprint fibers (MA-MNF) on the mechanical and thermal properties of ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber matrix (EPDM). Maleic anhydride (MA) was used at a different ratios (5, 10, and 15 wt% according to the MNF). The EPDM/MA-MNF composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The results confirm the adhesion between MA-MNF and EPDM rubber matrix in presence of radiation. EPDM/MA-MNF composites have achieved higher mechanical properties than EPDM rubber matrix and EPDM/MNF composites. EPDM composites containing MNF that treated with 15% MA and gamma irradiated at 80 kGy have the highest tensile strength, tensile modulus at 100% strain, crosslink density and thermal stability over all other composites.