Pyroshock testing on graphene based EPDM nanocomposites

Ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer rubber (EPDM) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) nanocomposites were prepared via a vulcanization process. The mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites were studied. Curing studies demonstrated the increase in maximum torque for the GNP loaded EPDM compounds compared to carbon black loaded EPDM. A high magnitude and a high frequency transient loading, a pyroshock event, was applied to the prepared samples. The acceleration time history measured in the impact excitation test and a simplified analysis model based on the frequency response analysis, were established for evaluating the shock response of the nanocomposites. Experimental results indicated that the interfacial interaction between GNPs and EPDM matrix results in enhancements in damping property. This experimental approach can be used to test the potential utilization of such polymer nanocomposites to be used for space or military components subjected to high-frequency, high-magnitude shock pulses.