Abstract
In this study, new composites were prepared from ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) that loaded with various concentrations of short carbon fibers (SCFs) ranged from 5 up to 20 part per hundred part of rubber (phr). Aluminum trihydroxide (ATH) was added by two concentrations, namely 10 and 30 phr to EPDM/SCFs composites to enhance its heat shielding. Foaming agent, azodicarbonamide (ADC) was added to increase ablation resistance. Composites were prepared on open rubber roll mills, and then the rubber composites were gamma ray irradiated at different doses of 25, 50, 75, 100 and 150 kGy. Fiber incorporation into rubber matrix has been proven as a key factor in enhancing tensile strength and flame retardant properties of fabricated composites. The prepared composites were characterized by using various analytical methods counting physico-mechanical properties, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Ablation test (oxy acetylene test) and propagation flame test. The utmost mechanical performance was reported for the incorporated 5 phr of carbon fiber into EPDM at 100 kGy. Also, the flame retardancy and ablation properties for composites were enhanced by increasing addition of carbon fibers and ATH in presence of ADC.
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