Influence of Inorganic Filler on Properties of EPDM Compounds

EPDM compounds and vulcanizates containing inorganic filler such as talc, calcium carbonate, or clay as well as carbon black were prepared, and the influence of inorganic filler on properties of the EPDM compounds and vulcanizates were investigated. The bound rubber contents did not significantly increase even though the inorganic filler was added. There were big aggregates in the EPDM samples with high loading inorganic filler. By adding the inorganic filler, the cure times tended to increase and the delta torque decreased. The modulus were on the whole decreased, whereas the elongation at break, tensile strength, and tear strength were increased by adding the inorganic filler. The decreased modulus and increased elongation at break can be explained with the decreased delta torque, the increases of tensile strength and tear strength can be explained with the increased elongation at break. By adding the inorganic filler, level of reinforcing in the EPDM compounds did not increase and the crosslink density decreased.