Improved Flex Properties for Peroxide Cured AEM Compounds

Abstract
Improved Flex Properties for Peroxide Cured AEM Compounds
ACS Rubber Division – Fall Conference
Edward McBride
DuPont Performance Elastomers
AEM (Vamac®) compounds are used to make automotive hoses that have a combination of properties including good
·        high and low temperature properties
·        fluid resistance
·        compression set
·        dynamic properties
Traditionally the best dynamic properties have been from AEM compounds cured with a diamine cure package.
This paper will review lab work that has been done to improve the dynamic properties of peroxide cured AEM compounds.  Through a combination of factors there has been a step change performance of the peroxide cured AEM compounds so that they have dynamic properties that are similar to diamine cured AEM compounds.
There are several potential advantages for these peroxide cured compounds including the possible elimination of the post cure step in hose production, less scorch during the extrusion step and the option to use lower cost polyester fibers for reinforcement. 
Vamac® is a registered trademark of DuPont, brought to market by DuPont Performance Elastomers.