Page 82 - 《橡塑技术与装备》英文版2026年1月

HINA R&P TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT

Study on the thermal aging kinetics of EPDM rubber

Jiang Huabo, Cao Cuiling
(Zhuoyetai Seiko Co. LTD., Qingdao 266199, Shandong, China)

Abstract: Heat aging stability is a hallmark of EPDM rubber and a requirement for the application of
rubber hoses, sealing strips, roofing membranes, and other rubber products. This paper derives a model for
predicting the service life of products at actual application temperatures by testing the tensile properties
of EPDM vulcanized rubber after aging at temperatures of 100°C, 120°C, 130°C, and 150°C. The test results
indicate that peroxide-vulcanized EPDM rubber exhibits higher strength and lower elongation at break
compared to sulfur-vulcanized samples. After aging, the tensile strength initially shows a sharp decrease, and
as the aging time increases, the decrease gradually flattens out. The elongation at break shows a higher and
continuous loss, and the higher the aging temperature, the more severe the loss of strength and elongation
at break. Both vulcanized rubber samples exhibit the same pattern of physical property loss. Based on the
established aging model, it is inferred that a product using sulfur-vulcanized rubber can last for 17 years,
while one using peroxide-vulcanized rubber can last for 44 years, providing strong evidence for the practical
application of the product.
Key words: EPDM;fractional strain energy; rubber aging rate constant
Classification number: TQ333.4 Article number: 1009-797X(2026)01-0036-07
Document code: B DOI:10.13520/j.cnki.rpte.2026.01.011

0 Introduction 1,4-hexadiene (HD), and other monomers, copolymerizes in
Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber a controlled manner to maintain a saturated main chain and
itself possesses excellent aging resistance. Due to its stable and place unsaturated side chains on the side chains that can be
saturated polymer backbone structure, EPDM exhibits superior used for vulcanization or polymer modification chemistry.
heat resistance, oxidation resistance, ozone resistance, and Since the production of EPDM began in 1960 , more than
weathering resistance. EPDM, based on the copolymerization sixty years have passed, and many scholars have continuously
of ethylene and propylene, introduces non-conjugated dienes improved and innovated its properties. Many scholars have
as a third monomer. Its molecular chain still maintains its studied EPDM rubber formulations . EPDM vulcanized rubber
original saturation, while the side chains contain a small is widely used in automotive engine hood hoses and gaskets,
amount of double bonds introduced by the addition of the third door panel seals, heat-resistant hose conveyor belts, roof
monomer. Therefore, EPDM not only retains the excellent waterproof and thermal insulation layers, etc. ExxonMobil's
heat resistance of the original saturated rubber but also enables P.S. Ravishankar specifically described the development
the rubber compound to be vulcanized using various common history of EPDM. The high performance and long-term
vulcanization systems such as sulfur-accelator systems, thus heat and weathering resistance of EPDM vulcanized rubber
achieving broader applications. The combination of ethylene products are key requirements for many rubber applications.
and propylene monomers forms this chemically saturated
and stable polymer backbone, and the third diene monomer, Biography: Jiang Huabo (1981-), male, is an intermediate engineer, mainly
engaged in the research and development of transmission belts and other
typically ethylnorbornene (ENB), dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), rubber products.

·36· Vol.52，No.1