Modification In Situ of EPDM Filled with Carbon Black by Glycidyl Methacrylate

Abstract

A method of chemical modification in situ of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) filled with carbon black was studied. A bifunctional monomer, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), was used as the modifier to improve the dispersibility of carbon black in the rubber and to enhance the mechanical properties of EPDM vulcanizates. The effects of GMA on the structure and properties of EPDM vulcanizates such as determination of cross-linking density and vulcanizing properties as well as mechanical properties were investigated by FT-IR, SEM, and DMTA. The results showed the addition of GMA into carbon black filled EPDM compounds could remarkably improve the mechanical properties of the vulcanizates. The optimum content of GMA was about 5.0 phr when the content of carbon black was 50 phr. The reason for improvement of the mechanical properties might be attributed to the chemical combinations between rubber macromolecular chains and carbon black surfaces by GMA. The action of GMA was similar to a cocuring agent and a coupling agent.