Wang WZ, Qu BJ (2003) Photo- and thermo-oxidative degradation of photocrosslinked ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer. Polymer Degradation and Stability 81(3), 531-537. [In English]

Web link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0141-3910(03)00154-x

Keywords:

photo-oxidation; thermo-oxidation; degradation; photocrosslinking; EPDM; cross-linking reaction; mechanical-properties; epdm elastomers; impact; behavior; pp/epdm blends; polymer blends; rubber;

Abstract: Photocrosslinking of ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM), and photo- and thermo-oxidative degradation of photo-crosslinked EPDM have been studied by photoacoustic Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (PAS-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The relative ratios of degradation to crosslinking for photo-crosslinked EPDM by swelling measurement were estimated by Charlesby's random crosslinking theory to be 0.06 for EPDM 4770 and 0.1 for EPDM 4045. The PAS-FTIR and XPS data gave the evidence that the surface photo- and thermo-oxidation degradation of photocrosslinked EPDM samples with a given UV irradiation time apparently increase with aging time. The main photooxidation products were identified as hydroperoxides and various carbonyl compounds. The SEM measurements show that the photo-oxidative degradation of photocrosslinked EPDM has a crucial effect compared with thermo-oxidative degradation. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.