Page 72 - 《橡塑技术与装备》英文版2026年1月

HINA R&P TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT

Effects of different types of modifiers on the properties of
EPDM/MVQ blended rubber

Dai Xin, Hao Liangci, Liu Changshun, Deng Tao*
(Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Rubber and Plastic Materials and
Engineering, Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266042, Shandong, China)
Abstract: This study aims to enhance the compatibility of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and
silicone rubber (MVQ) based on the "principle of similar surface tension". Therefore, different types of modifiers
are added to MVQ to increase its surface tension and narrow the gap with the surface tension of EPDM.
Experiments show that the water contact angle of MVQ with different modifiers decreases significantly, and
the interfacial thickness of the corresponding EPDM/MVQ blend increases, resulting in improved compatibility.
Compared with the unmodified EPDM/MVQ blend, the mechanical properties before and after aging also
increase to varying degrees.
Key words: blended rubber; contact angle; surface tension; phase interface; mechanical properties
Classification number: TQ333.4 TQ333.93 Article number: 1009-797X(2026)01-0026-05
Document code: B DOI:10.13520/j.cnki.rpte.2026.01.008

By blending EPDM, which exhibits excellent steam chemical reactions between components ; secondly, from the
resistance, with MVQ, which boasts superior heat resistance, process perspective of changing temperature, time, and adding
a product with superior comprehensive performance can be a third-component compatibilizer. Therefore, this experiment
obtained. The heat resistance of this blended rubber is 10~30 uses acrylate rubber (ACM), ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber
℃ higher than that of EPDM . Furthermore, it possesses higher (EVM), nitrile rubber (NBR), and silane coupling agent KH-
strength and lower compression set, offering a reasonable 550 as modifiers for MVQ, allowing it to undergo certain
cost-performance ratio. This meets the requirements for steam crosslinking with MVQ. The crosslinked MVQ blend rubber
sealing products and is suitable for use as a flexible pipeline in improves its surface tension, achieving a surface tension similar
thermal compression equipment such as steam cleaners, steam to that of EPDM, strengthening the interaction forces between
hammers, flat curing presses, and injection molding machines. the two, and thus improving the compatibility of MVQ and
However, the blending of EPDM and MVQ faces the EPDM. The results show that the EPDM/MVQ blend rubber
issue of poor process compatibility. When the two are directly using NBR as a modifier has the largest interphase thickness,
blended, it is impossible for the molecules of the two rubbers the best compatibility, and the best aging resistance. In terms
to form strong intermolecular bonding forces. This is a of macroscopic mechanical properties, due to the combined
thermodynamically incompatible system, where differences in effects of compatibility and improved rubber-filler interaction,
molecular structure lead to various differences in polarity and the blend rubber using KH-550 as a modifier exhibits the best
surface tension . Generally, improving the compatibility of the mechanical properties before and after aging.
blended system can be achieved from two aspects. Firstly, from
the thermodynamic perspective of enhancing the interaction
Biography: Dai Xin (2000-), female, is a graduate student pursuing her
forces between polymer components, such as introducing master's degree, primarily engaged in research on rubber blending and
intermolecular hydrogen bonds, dipole-dipole interactions, and modification.

·26· Vol.52，No.1