UHMW-PE Fiber as Reinforcing Materials in EPDM Rubber Vulcanized by E-Beam Radiation

Abstract

Ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) was reinforced with different concentrations of Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene chopped fiber (Spectra?m 1000). The reinforced samples were vulcanized using different doses of E-Beam radiation. It was found that E-Beam radiation improves the interfacial adhesion between UHMW-PE fiber and EPDM matrix which was detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition the Young's modulus of the composites increases as irradiation dose increases. Increasing the concentration of the fibers up to 40 phr leads to an enhancement in mechanical properties and swelling resistance of obtained composites, especially in the absence of carbon black. In contrast, the tensile strength of EPDM loaded with carbon black decreased as fiber concentration increased even though the other mechanical properties were improved. Although the tensile strength decreased with increasing fiber concentrations, the absolute value of the tensile strength increased by at least three fold with the addition of carbon black.