A New EPDM to Meet Compounding and Processing Challenges

The rubber industry is constantly demanding innovative products for reducing total system cost while continuously improving performance. This offers significant challenge to EPDM producers in developing new products with advanced molecular architecture and polymer characteristics. In order to meet the industry demands, a new product has been introduced by DSM Elastomers. Keltan^® 8642A (K8642A) is a polymer with high green strength and fast curing behavior. The friable bale structure offers excellent mixing performance.  The controlled long chain branching (CLCB) in the polymer microstructure provides the desired processing and performance enhancements.  K8642A offers a broad opportunity to compound for highly loaded recipes while retaining physical properties at room and elevated temperatures. The paper will demonstrate formulations in the loading levels of 500 – 700 phr with excellent mechanical properties for automotive sealing systems applications. The performance of the product in representative extrusion and molding recipes, as well as in blends, covering various applications will be presented.