Investigation on Synergistic effect of Carbon Black on Flow properties of EPDM Composite

A. Murugesan; K. Rajasekaran; R. Anbarasan; A. Fasil

Abstract

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer is one of the most widely used rubbers in automotive exterior sealing systems. It is the material of choice for automotive sponge weather strips around doors, trunks and hoods. Its exceptional air and ozone resistance capabilities, combined with its compounding adaptability, result in high-performing profiles at a low cost, while sealing off water, dirt, and noise for the life of the vehicle. Over the last decade, advances in metallocene polymerization technique have allowed for more exact control of molecular architecture and co monomer introduction, allowing for the creation of high-performance elastomers with customised qualities. In this present research investigation, vulacnizates based on Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber was prepared by incorporating 30 phr of cellulose short fibers along with different loading level of fast extrusion furnace black (FEF) at an increment level of 20 phr in a two roll mill. The effect of CB (FEF) on viscosity and rheological properties of various EPDM compounds such as C1 to C8 were fairly investigated by using the Monsanto moving die rheometer (MDR 2000) according to ASTM method D 2084 and also Mooney viscometer. The curing characteristics like TS2, TS5, ML, MH, cure time (TC90) and viscosity of various EPDM compounds were extensively determined and also the results were critically compared with each other. It was fairly observed that the reinforcement of CB along with cellulose short fibres in the EPDM compounds have made greater impact on improving the rheological properties and showed the synergistic effect between the fillers and the rubber matrix.

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