Electro-Mechanical Characterization of Carbon Filled SiR-EPDM Blends

Abstract

The focus of this research is to investigate the electro-mechanical performance of SiR-EPDM blend with carbon black filler. SiR and EPDM have their own strengths and weakness related with the electro-mechanical parameters. To enhance the electro-mechanical performance of these two materials, a nominal blend ratio of 50:50 was chosen up for the research. Three different concentrations (2 wt%, 5 wt% and 10 wt%) of carbon black filler was added to 50:50 blend ratio. Carbon black was chosen as the filler material, since it has been used as high UV retardant which modifies the material to be used in high polluted environment. The electro-mechanical parameters of carbon filled SiR-EPDM blends were measured by ASTM and IEC standards. A comparison has been made between the blend without filler and blends with carbon black filler. The variation in electro-mechanical parameters of SiR-EPDM blends with carbon black filler were validated through the physico chemical analysis like FTIR, SEM and EDAX.