Molecular Structure and Processing Characteristics of a Granular Gas-Phase Metallocene EPDM Rubber

The selection of a curing process for a molded elastomeric component is frequently carried out with consideration given to the elastomer compound characteristics, the geometry of the component, the
molding equipment available, and the resulting cost of the process. In this work the effect of multi-stage cure processes on the distribution of state of cure in a component is examined. Cure processes that that
include elastomer preheat, press cures, oven bake steps, and cool down cycles are considered. The focus is to discern the effect of the molding process on the distribution of the state of cure within the component
for processes that yield a technologically acceptable state of cure. The results are analyzed in terms of providing guidance toward optimization of state of cure distributions via practical molding process
variables.