The relationship between crosslink system, network structure and material properties of carbon black reinforced EPDM

The crosslink density and sulfur-ranks of crosslinks formed during vulcanization of a carbon black reinforced ENB–EPDM compound are analyzed as a function of the selected curing system: Conventional, Semi-Efficient, Efficient and Nitrosamine-safe. Each vulcanization system results in a specific crosslink concentration and sulfur-rank distribution: mono-, di- and polysulfidic of nature. Tensile properties, tear strength and compression set of the vulcanized materials turn out to practically only depend on overall crosslink density, as resulting from the particular curing systems and vulcanization times. All trends in properties coincide when plotted as a function of the overall crosslink density. Surprisingly, the crosslink distribution: the ratios of mono- to di- and polysulfidic crosslinks, has only a minor effect on these properties. The differences in sulfur-rank as a function of the chosen vulcanization system turn out to be too small for EPDM to have a significant effect.

Graphical abstractTensile properties, tear strength and compression set of vulcanized carbon black reinforced EPDM-rubber practically only depend on the overall crosslink density, irrespective of the mono-, di- or poly-sulfidic nature of the crosslinks resulting from the sulfur vulcanization system applied: (■): conventional; (●): semi-efficient vulcanizing; (▴): efficient vulcanizing; (▾): nitrosamine safe system.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide