Thermal properties and flammability of ethylene-vinyl acetate rubbers (EVM) and their cross-linked blends with nitrile rubber (NBR)

• Speciality elastomer, ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber with a methylene main chain (EVM).
• Thermal properties and flammability of both non-cross-linked and cross-linked EVM rubbers and their cross-linked mixtures with NBR.
• Thermal analysis activation energy of decomposition (Kissinger, Flynn-Wall Ozawa methods), DSC, TG-FTIR, flammability.
• Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (gaseous products (PAH) have been taken by the apparatus our own construction).

This paper presents the investigation results concerning the thermal stability, fire hazard and flammability of non-cross-linked and cross-linked EVM rubbers as well as their cross-linked blends with NBR. Thermal analysis was carried out under both air and inert gas within the temperature range of T = −100 to 700 °C. The destruction activation energy of the materials investigated was determined with the use of two non-isothermal methods: Flynn-Wall-Ozawa's and Kissinger's methods. The fire hazard of the vulcanizates investigated was determined by means of a micro-calorimeter and the coupled TG-FTIR method. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the gaseous thermal decomposition products of the material tested were determined by the GC–MS technique.