Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Materials Research Articles

Mooney-Rivlin Parameter Determination Model as a Function of Temperature in Vulcanized Rubber Based on Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

The automotive industry is entering a digital revolution, driven by the need to develop new products in less time that are high-quality and environmentally friendly. A proper manufacturing process influences the performance of the door grommet during its lifetime. In this work, uniaxial tensile tests based on molecular dynamics simulations have been performed on an ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) material to investigate the effect of the crosslink density and its variation with temperature. The Mooney-Rivlin (MR) model is used to fit the results of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in this paper and an exponential-type model is proposed to calculate the parameters C1(T) and C2T. The experimental results, confirmed by hardness tests of the cured part according to ASTM 1415-88, show that the free volume fraction and the crosslink density have a significant effect on the stiffness of the EPDM material in a deformed state. The results of molecular dynamics superposition on the MR model agree reasonably well with the macroscopically observed mechanical behavior and tensile stress of the EPDM at the molecular level. This work allows the accurate characterization of the stress-strain behavior of rubber-like materials subjected to deformation and can provide valuable information for their widespread application in the injection molding industry.

Time-varying compressive properties and constitutive model of EPDM rubber materials for tunnel gasketed joint

The stress relaxation of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber material in a compressed state significantly increases the risk of water leakage at tunnel precast segmental joints. Additionally, EPDM rubber gaskets typically experience a complex precompression strain state, further complicating the prediction of long-term stress relaxation. Therefore, it is imperative to propose a novel constitutive model that realistically reflects the stress relaxation of rubber with arbitrary precompression strain, providing a reference for the long-term waterproof design of shield tunnels. In this study, the time-varying properties of EPDM rubber at material level were studied in detail. At first, a comprehensive set of accelerated aging tests were conducted on EPDM rubber samples with varying precompression strains. The hardening effect of rubber without precompression and the stress relaxation effect of rubber with precompression were explored. The time-varying law and mechanism governing rubber properties under these two effects were analyzed. Subsequently, a conversion relationship between the EPDM rubber test conditions and the actual service time was established. The predicted hardening coefficient for uncompressed EPDM after 100 years is 1.468, whereas the relaxation coefficient for compressed EPDM is 0.359. Comparative analysis revealed that the compression set index do not consider the beneficial effects of hardening, resulting in a 54.1% overestimation of the design water pressure. Finally, the analytical study on the constitutive model of EPDM rubber material was carried out. The error in compression curve for unaged sample obtained from empirical formulas exceeded three times that of the analytical model, underscoring the need to study time-varying constitutive models. An interpolation method was employed to extend the test curve, leading to the development of a new constitutive model that represents the stress relaxation characteristics of EPDM materials under arbitrary precompression strain states. By combining the proposed constitutive model with the timetemperature conversion relationship, the time-varying expressions of the constitutive parameters for relaxation and hardening effects during the service life were derived. In comparison with existing models, the proposed model demonstrates wider applicability, effectively captures the time-varying characteristics of EPDM materials under arbitrary precompression strains, offering an efficient approach for studying the long-term stress relaxation prediction of rubber gaskets in shield tunnels under complex precompression strain states.

Effect of ion penetration on the aging of EPDM components used in caustic liquid transfer lines by microscopic analysis

The waste transfer lines at the United States Department of Energy's Hanford Site Tank Farm in Benton County, Washington, USA have flexible sections that are fabricated from ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) hoses. The hoses are of a hose-in-hose design with an inner hose that carries the waste and an outer hose that acts as containment in the event of an inner hose failure. During waste transport, the inner hoses are exposed to several stressors including caustic solutions at high temperatures and high pressures. These hose-in-hose transfer lines (HIHTL) are exposed to several stressors including caustic solutions at high temperatures and high pressures during the waste transport. The aging behavior of the HIHTL inner hose were evaluated by exposure to solutions at 77 °C containing 6.25, 12.50, and 25.00% (v/v) sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for 12-months. After the exposure, the burst pressure of the HIHTL specimens were measured and compared to the unaged samples.The burst pressure of the HIHTL specimens exposed to the 6.25% NaOH solution exhibited the most significant deterioration and those exposed to 25.00% NaOH solution had the least deterioration. Examination of the inside surface of the HIHTL specimens with scanning electron microscopy showed that the surface deterioration for the specimens exposed to 6.25% NaOH solution were the most severe and the samples exposed to 25.00% NaOH solution had the least deterioration. Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analysis of the specimens showed that the specimen aged with the 6.25% NaOH solution had that greatest sodium ion penetration into the material with the sodium concentration being significantly higher than those seen with the other specimens. In addition, when the specimens aged with both the 12.50% and the 25.00% NaOH solutions were examined, a white crystalline coating was observed on the inside surfaces of the specimens which appears to have acted as a barrier that protected the EPDM material from attack by the NaOH solutions.

DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF BUOYANCY ENGINE SYSTEMS ON CHANGES IN BUOYANCY FORCES IN UNDERWATER GLIDER

The vast and deep conditions of the ocean still contain many objects that have not been explored. Based on the type of autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) device design, it consists of types that can drift, glide, and can propel itself in water. Types of AUV without propellers (nonpropelled, drifter). or glider), can float without thrusters or glide up and down the water by changing its buoyancy. This AUV uses little or no battery power compared to propeller-driven AUVs, but cannot perform as many maneuvers. Variable Buoyancy System used in different types of underwater craft, designed and built for specific rides and applications. Therefore, each system is completely different from the others. This research focuses on systems that raise and lower volume, using components such as diaphragms, bladders, and bellows. It is possible to use a diaphragm for a buoyancy engine to make the vehicle easier to fabricate. The aim of this research is to determine the magnitude of deformation of the diaphragm made from silicon rubber and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) with varying thickness of 0.5 mm; 1mm and 2mm. Through the Finite Element Method approach to obtain deformation analysis modeling, EPDM material provides higher deformation than using silicon material. However, for pressures of no more than 0.5 bar, using a rubber thickness of 0.5 mm is not suitable. So the appropriate application for Gliders is 1 mm thick.

FEA Assessment of Contact Pressure and Von Mises Stress in Gasket Material Suitability for PEMFCs in Electric Vehicles

Ensuring the safety of electric vehicles is paramount, and one critical concern is the potential for hazardous hydrogen fuel leaks caused by the degradation of Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) gasket materials. This study employs advanced techniques to address this issue. We leverage Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to rigorously assess the suitability of gasket materials for PEMFC applications, focusing on two crucial conditions: ageing and tensile stress. To achieve this, we introduce a comprehensive “dual degradation framework” that considers the effects of contact pressure and von Mises stress. These factors are instrumental in evaluating the performance and durability of Liquid Silicon Rubber (LSR) and Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) materials. Our findings reveal the Yeoh model as the most accurate and efficient choice for ageing simulations, boasting a minimal Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) and computational time of just 0.27 s. In contrast, the Ogden model, while accurate, requires more computational resources. In assessing overall model performance using MAE, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and R-squared metrics, both LSR and EPDM materials proved promising, with LSR exhibiting superior performance in most areas. Furthermore, our study incorporates uniaxial tensile testing, which yields RMSE and MAE values of 0.30% and 0.40%, respectively. These results provide valuable insights into material behaviour under tensile stress. Our research underscores the pivotal role of FEA in identifying optimal gasket materials for PEMFC applications. Notably, LSR is a superior choice, demonstrating enhanced FEA modelling performance under ageing and tensile conditions. These findings promise to significantly contribute to developing safer and more reliable electric vehicles by advancing gasket material design.

A Visco-Hyperelastic Constitutive Model to Characterize the Stress-Softening Behavior of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber.

Uniaxial and biaxial cyclic tensile tests and stress relaxation tests were performed on the ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) material to investigate its stress-softening effect. The experimental results reveal that the EPDM material presents a significant Mullins effect during the cyclic stretching processes. Furthermore, it is found that the deformation of the EPDM material does not return to zero simultaneously with the stress, due to the viscoelasticity of the EPDM material. Therefore, this study combines pseudo-elasticity theory and viscoelastic theory to propose a visco-hyperelastic constitutive model. The proposed model is used to fit and analyze the uniaxial and biaxial cyclic test results of EPDM and a comparison is conducted with the corresponding hyper-elastic constitutive model. The results show that the proposed model is in good agreement with the experimental data and superior to the hyper-elastic constitutive model, especially when it comes to the stress-softening unloading process. This work is conducive to accurately characterizing the stress-softening behavior of rubber-like materials at large deformation and can provide some theoretical guidance for their widespread application in industry.

Effects of polar molecules on direct current performance of EPDM for cable accessories

Due to the excellent insulation performance, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) is used as cable accessories. To obtain EPDM materials with high dielectric breakdown strength (DBS), special polar molecules and chemistry grafting/crosslinking technique are used in this paper. In this paper, we choose Maleic anhydride (MAH) as an additive to introduce deep traps, which generates an increase in dielectric breakdown strength(DBS) and a decrease in conductivity. The result shows that MAH molecules can be grafted onto EPDM molecular chains in the process of cross-linking. Thermal stimulation currents (TSC) tests and the first-principles calculations consistently demonstrate that MAH can introduce deep charge traps, inhibiting migration of carriers, and increasing the DBS of EPDM. The grafting weight of MAH is small, which does not affect the process properties of the material.

The Effect of Methanol-Gasoline (M20) and Ethanol-Gasoline (E20) Blends on Material Compatibility

Alcohol has the potential to be used as an alternative to fossil fuels to reduce total emissions from spark-ignition (SI) engines. The impact of a mixture of 20% methanol and ethanol in gasoline on the compatibility of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) and polyamide materials, which are used as fuel hoses in SI vehicles, is presented in this study. The immersion test methodology was employed to study the influence of both types of alcohol on gasoline blend to compatibility properties i.e., hardness and weight change. Based on the result, EPDM and polyamide materials have different characteristics of material compatibility with E20 and M20. Tests on M20 and E20 fuel samples on EPDM material show a higher effect on hardness by 5-9% than pristine gasoline. Additionally, there was no change in the weight of the polyamide material in the RON 90, E20, and M20 test samples. However, there was a change in the hardness of the polyamide material by 6-11% in RON 90, E20, and M20 fuels. Moreover, there was no change in the FTIR spectrum, indicating that there was no dissolution of the EPDM and polyamide materials into the test fuel for 6 weeks of immersion.

EPDM material eliminates fluid leaks in slow-moving drones and cargo planes

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has developed an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) material that eliminates fluid leaks in slow-moving aircraft, such as drones and cargo planes. In 2021, the company started manufacturing seals made from this material which, says the company, successfully addresses a significant challenge in the aerospace industry – hydraulic seal leakage at high altitudes and low temperatures. Here we look at the material's properties, the advantages it offers and how it is used.

Effect of temperature and aging duration on ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) nonmetallic components used in caustic liquid waste transfer lines

Nonmetallic materials are used in waste transfer lines at the United States Department of Energy’s Hanford Site Tank Farm in Benton County, Washington, USA. During use, the ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) inner hose of the hose-in-hose transfer lines (HIHTLs) are exposed to β and γ radiation, caustic solutions as well as high temperatures and high pressures. Aging behavior of specimens of EPDM HIHTLs and dog-bone shaped specimens were evaluated by exposing to a solution of 25% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at 38 °C, 54 °C and 77 °C for 6 and 12-months as well as water only at 77 °C for 12-months. Tensile strength and burst pressure of the specimens were characterized and compared with the unexposed (baseline) specimens. Both the tensile strength of the EPDM material and the burst pressure of the HIHTLs significantly decreased with the higher temperatures and longer exposure times. Analyses using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) of the HIHTLs and the dog-bone specimens were conducted. Results show that the surface degradation increased with increasing exposure temperature. Penetration of NaOH into the EPDM material also increased with increasing temperature and exposure duration.

Significantly Improved Electrical Properties of Photo-Initiated Auxiliary Crosslinking EPDM Used for Cable Termination.

In order to achieve high quality electrical materials for cable terminations, the crosslinked ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) materials, with adequate breakdown strength, appropriately increased conductivity and are developed by employing auxiliary crosslinker and ultraviolet (UV) photoinitiated crosslinking technique. The characteristic cyclic anhydrides with coupled carbonyl groups are utilized as auxiliary crosslinkers to promote crosslinking efficiency and provide polar-groups to EPDM molecules in UV-initiated crosslinking processes, which can be effectively fulfilled in industrial cable production. The results of infrared spectroscopy show that the auxiliary crosslinkers have been successfully grated to EPDM molecules through UV initiation process. The conductivity of EPDM increases after individually utilizing three auxiliary crosslinkers to EPDM at various temperatures of cable operations, by which the highest conductivity has been acquired by grafting N.N-m-phenylene dimaleimide. The first-principles calculations demonstrate that some occupied local electronic-states have been introduced in the band-gap of the EPDM crosslinked by N.N-m-phenylene dimaleimide (EPDM-HAV2), which can be thermally excited from valence band to conduction band at lower temperature or in higher density, leading to augmentation in electrical conductivity. Meanwhile, the breakdown strength achieves a significant improvement in consistency with the theoretical estimation that deeper hole-traps can be introduced by auxiliary-crosslinking modification, and will consequently increase breakdown strength through the trapping mechanism of space charge suppression. in relation to the appropriately increased conductivity, in combination with persistent breakdown strength, the finite element simulations of the electric field distribution in EPDM cable terminations suggest that the effectively homogenized electric field at the root of stress cone will be realized for EPDM-HAV2. The present study offers a fundamental strategy to ameliorate EPDM materials in the application of insulated cable accessories.

Mechanical and Fire Properties of Multicomponent Flame Retardant EPDM Rubbers Using Aluminum Trihydroxide, Ammonium Polyphosphate, and Polyaniline.

In this study, multicomponent flame retardant systems, consisting of ammonium polyphosphate (APP), aluminum trihydroxide (ATH), and polyaniline (PANI), were used in ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber. The multicomponent system was designed to improve flame retardancy and the mechanical properties of the rubber compounds, while simultaneously reducing the amount of filler. PANI was applied at low loadings (7 phr) and combined with the phosphorous APP (21 phr) and the mineral flame retardant ATH (50 phr). A comprehensive study of six EPDM rubbers was carried out by systematically varying the fillers to explain the impact of multicomponent flame retardant systems on mechanical properties. The six EPDM materials were investigated via the UL 94, limiting oxygen index (LOI), FMVSS 302, glow wire tests, and the cone calorimeter, showing that multicomponent flame retardant systems led to improved fire performance. In cone calorimeter tests the EPDM/APP/ATH/PANI composite reduced the maximum average rate of heat emission (MARHE) to 142 kW·m−2, a value 50% lower than that for the unfilled EPDM rubber. Furthermore, the amount of phosphorus in the residues was quantified and the mode of action of the phosphorous flame retardant APP was explained. The data from the cone calorimeter were used to determine the protective layer effect of the multicomponent flame retardant systems in the EPDM compounds.

Highly stretchable and sensitive sensor based on GnPs/EPDM composites with excellent heat dissipation performance

A highly stretchable, flexible, and sensitive strain sensor is fabricated based on the graphene platelets (GnPs) and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). Owing to the better dispersion of GnPs in EPDM material, the sensor obtains low percolation threshold of 2.9 wt% and superior thermal conductivity of 0.72 W/m K at 7 wt%. In this paper, GnPs/EPDM composites with GnPs loading of 3 wt% and 5 wt% were selected as strain sensor, and were tested via various mechanical tests. The monotonic tensile results reveal that the sensor with GnPs loading of 3 wt% exhibits relatively high gauge factor of 129.33. The linear growth of the electrical response is softened at 5 wt% GnPs and there were two different linear change sensing stages (0–210%) and (210–300%), and the gauge factors were 52.76 and 107.99, respectively. The sensor with GnPs loading of 3 wt% is reversibility upon 36-cycle loading–unloading test, and can be used as a health-monitoring device by detecting bending of elbow and finger. The result shows that the sensor has higher sensitivities. Furthermore, the mechanism behind the excellent performances of GnPs/EPDM sensor is discussed. The high-performance GnPs/EPDM sensor shows great potentials in the field of monitoring deformation and human body’s motions.

Optimization of Shape Design of Grommet through Analysis of Physical Properties of EPDM Materials

Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) has superior mechanical properties, water resistance, heat resistance, and ozone resistance. It can be applied to various products owing to its low hardness and high slip resistance properties. A grommet is one of the various products made using EPDM rubber. It is a main component of automobiles, in which it protects wires throughout the inside and outside of a vehicle body. The grommet, made of EPDM, has different mounting performance depending on the process parameters and the shape of the grommet. This study conducted optimization to improve the mounting performance of a grommet using EPDM materials. The physical properties of the main molding materials were investigated according to process parameters. A grommet was fabricated according to the process parameters of fabrication. Insertion force and separation force were examined through experiments. Nonlinear material constants were determined through uniaxial and biaxial tensile tests. The nonlinear analysis of the grommet was conducted, and a compound design that incorporated the shape parameters for the minimum load of each part was derived. Then, additional nonlinear analysis was performed. This was followed by a comparative analysis of the actual model through experimental evaluation.

The effect of Tinuvin derivatives as an ultraviolet (UV) stabilizer on EPDM rubber

Ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) is one of the most widely used synthetic rubbers, especially in the automotive industry. Despite its many benefits, the chief weakness of EPDM has been the color change occurring in its products due to ultraviolet (UV) rays. It is recognized that UV energy causes the dissociation of bonds (mostly C-C and C-H) in EPDM materials as well as cracks and color changes on the surface. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the Tinuvin derivatives widely used as UV stabilizers in the plastics industry on EPDM rubber. The EPDM rubber plates were prepared by adding Tinuvin-P, Tinuvin-213 and Tinuvin-234 as UV absorbers (UVAs) and Tinuvin-123 as hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) material at a ratio of 1.0 phr (parts per hundred parts of rubber) to an available EPDM formula. The effects of the Tinuvin derivatives were investigated by the internationally recognized Florida outdoor aging test. The surfaces of the EPDM plates were visually scrutinized and surface morphological changes were examined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry analyses. The results obtained showed that, unlike in the plastic industry, not all Tinuvin derivatives could be used as UV stabilizers for EPDM products. Of all the tested Tinuvin derivatives, the Tinuvin-123 compound was the most effective, indicating it to be suitable for use as a protective UV stabilizer for EPDM rubber applications.

Flame-retardant EPDM compounds containing phenanthrene to enhance radiation resistance

Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) compounds with good flame-retardant and γ-ray radiation resistant properties were prepared by adding complex flame retardants and phenathrene. The resultant EPDM formulations have a long time to ignition (TTI >46s), a low peak heat release rate (PHRR~341kW/m2) and a high limited oxygen index (LOI >30). Effects of γ-ray radiation on the resultant flame-retardant EPDM was investigated. The formulated EPDM is a crosslinking dominated polymer under γ-ray radiation. The γ-ray radiation resistant property of EPDM was enhanced by adding phenanthrene. Elongation at break of EPDM formulated with phenanthrene could retain 91% after being irradiated to 0.3MGy and still retains 40% elongation even after being irradiated to 0.9MGy, which is much better the control. It is expected that the formulated flame-retardant and radiation resistant EPDM materials could meet the requirements for use in radiation environments.

Integration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Legionella pneumophila in drinking water biofilms grown on domestic plumbing materials

Drinking water biofilms were grown on coupons of plumbing materials, including ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer (EPDM) rubber, silane cross-linked polyethylene (PE-X b), electron-ray cross-linked PE (PE-X c) and copper under constant flow-through of cold tap water. After 14 days, the biofilms were spiked with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella pneumophila and Enterobacter nimipressuralis (10(6) cells/mL each). The test bacteria were environmental isolates from contamination events in drinking water systems. After static incubation for 24 h, water flow was resumed and continued for 4 weeks. Total cell count and heterotrophic plate count (HPC) of biofilms were monitored, and P. aeruginosa, L. pneumophila and E. nimipressuralis were quantified, using standard culture-based methods or culture-independent fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). After 14 days total cell counts and HPC values were highest on EPDM followed by the plastic materials and copper. P. aeruginosa and L. pneumophila became incorporated into drinking water biofilms and were capable to persist in biofilms on EPDM and PE-X materials for several weeks, while copper biofilms were colonized only by L. pneumophila in low culturable numbers. E. nimipressuralis was not detected in any of the biofilms. Application of the FISH method often yielded orders of magnitude higher levels of P. aeruginosa and L. pneumophila than culture methods. These observations indicate that drinking water biofilms grown under cold water conditions on domestic plumbing materials, especially EPDM and PE-X in the present study, can be a reservoir for P. aeruginosa and L. pneumophila that persist in these habitats mostly in a viable but non-culturable state.

Irradiation effects on the relaxation behaviour of EPDM elastomers

Abstractγ‐irradiation of ethylene–propylene diene monomer (EPDM) elastomers under oxidant atmosphere was carried out in order to change their mechanical and dielectric behaviour. Three different formulations of EPDM (70 wt% ethylene, 28 wt% propylene; diene monomer: 2 wt% norbornene) were studied: a non‐crosslinked EPDM terpolymer, a crosslinked EPDM and a crosslinked EPDM stabilized with an antioxidant. Dielectric and mechanical relaxation show a β‐sub‐glass relaxation at about −120 °C (1 Hz) and an α‐relaxation at −15 °C (1 Hz) associated with the glass transition but influenced by the effects of irradiation. The local mobility associated with the β‐relaxation is only weakly influenced by γ‐irradiation up to 450 kGy. The α‐process is shifted to higher temperatures as a result of crosslinking and changes in the semicrystalline structure. The amplitude of the dielectric α‐process increases as a result of the formation of oxidized species during irradiation under oxygen. In contrast, the mechanical α‐relaxation amplitude decreases as a result of physical and chemical cross‐linking. It was shown that the main factors that determine the crosslinking/chain scission balance are (1) the presence of oxygen together with the irradiation dose, (2) the dose rate and (3) the initial crosslink density of the EPDM material. As a result, the individual contribution of crosslinking and crystallization, and therefore the understanding and prediction of the properties after γ‐irradiation can only be deduced after comparison of the polymer behaviour below and above its melting temperature. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry