Thermoplastic Vulcanizate (TPV) Based on Eco-Friendly EPDM

TPV’s are prepared by dynamic vulcanization with the blends of ethylene-propylene-diene polymer (EPDM) of various sources with polypropylene (PP). In comparison to conventional thermoset elastomers (TSE), these thermoplastic vulcanizates can be easily melted for recycling.

In addition to recyclability, sustainability of raw rubbers is another priority of rubber and polymer industries.  An eco-friendly ethylene, made from the renewable ethyl alcohol through the fermentation of cellulose and/or sugar, has been used as the co-monomer to prepare EPDM. It has been commercialized by Lanxess as Keltan Eco-5508. In this study, EPDM-PP TPV’s based on Eco-5508 and other conventional EPDM’s will be prepared in our rubber lab. Their physical properties, processability, and recyclability will be reported as part of our research.