Reactive extrusion process development for silane modified EPDM

Most rubber products require curing that involves either sulfur or peroxide curing and other ingredients such as accelerators, antioxidants, antiozonants, and heavy metal oxides. Some of these ingredients, either individually or in combination, generate environmental pollutant and hazardous gases and fumes during rubber processing or storage. Thus, there is a continuous need by the rubber industry to develop benign curing processes involving environmental-friendly process and less hazardous ingredients. In this project, we aim to develop a scalable, robust, and waste-free process for the production of silane-modified EPDM elastomer with adaptable curing behavior. The modification process involve the chemical grafting of silanes onto elastomers in the presence of reaction initiators in a solvent-free melt process using an internal mixer and extruder.

Faculty Supervisor:

Tiz Mekonnen

Student:

Boon Peng Chang

Partner:

AirBoss of America

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

University of Waterloo