Abstract
EPDM rubber is a very versatile elastomer, which is used in a wide variety of applications. One way to fulfill the specifications for the different applications is to tailor the type and characteristics of the polymer network, as there are: peroxide- and sulfur-curing, the latter differing in the sulfur-chain length distribution. When it comes to recycling, the different polymer networks require tailoring of the devulcanization conditions in terms of devulcanization aid (DA) as well as process parameters.
The polymer network of peroxide-cured EPDM is fundamentally different from the sulfur-cured counterpart, as it consists of carbon-carbon bonds only. Strictly spoken, devulcanization in the sense of breaking the bonds formed during vulcanization is not possible: the chemical nature of the crosslinks is the same as the bonds within the polymer chains. Besides, the carbon-carbon bonds are rather strong and thus more difficult to break. However, when tailoring the process parameters, even this polymer network can be broken, with the efficiency strongly depending on the type of DA.
In this study, different network breakdown parameters and aids are compared concerning their network breakdown efficiency and quality of the final product in terms of stress-strain properties. It turned out that efficient breakdown of the network can be accomplished, that peroxides boost this reaction and that the strength properties of the re-vulcanizate are on a high level.
The polymer network of peroxide-cured EPDM is fundamentally different from the sulfur-cured counterpart, as it consists of carbon-carbon bonds only. Strictly spoken, devulcanization in the sense of breaking the bonds formed during vulcanization is not possible: the chemical nature of the crosslinks is the same as the bonds within the polymer chains. Besides, the carbon-carbon bonds are rather strong and thus more difficult to break. However, when tailoring the process parameters, even this polymer network can be broken, with the efficiency strongly depending on the type of DA.
In this study, different network breakdown parameters and aids are compared concerning their network breakdown efficiency and quality of the final product in terms of stress-strain properties. It turned out that efficient breakdown of the network can be accomplished, that peroxides boost this reaction and that the strength properties of the re-vulcanizate are on a high level.
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - 17 Oct 2023 |
Event | 204th Technical Meeting of the Rubber Division ACS, 2023 - Cleveland, United States Duration: 17 Oct 2023 → 19 Oct 2023 Conference number: 204 |
Conference
Conference | 204th Technical Meeting of the Rubber Division ACS, 2023 |
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Country/Territory | United States |
City | Cleveland |
Period | 17/10/23 → 19/10/23 |
Keywords
- Rubber EPDM Recycling Sustainability CE