Swelling of EPDM Rubbers for Oil-Well Applications as Influenced by Medium Composition and Temperature II: experimental part

The first part of the paper describes the mechanism of interactions between hydrocarbon solvents and vulcanized rubber (representing crosslinked network structure). The problem has been discussed from the point of view of thermodynamic principles of swelling, temperature and material factors affecting swelling of filled rubber vulcanizates, as well as the impact of swelling on properties of the materials. In the second part of the paper results of own research, devoted to swelling of sulphur vulcanizates of EPDM rubber in hydrocarbon solvents contained in mineral oils and fuels, or their mixture. Using headspace Gas Chromatography, the degree of swelling rubber vulvanizes by different components of solvent mixture in a function of temperature, has been determined.