Development of Rubber Composite Materials Using Waste EPDM

Waste EPDM(W-EPDM) collected from the automotive weather strip and the gasket of a laundry machine has not been effectively recycled. Using this W-EPDM powder and other ingredients, i.e., binder(polyolefin resin, polyolefin elastomer, etc.), filler and additives, various economic rubber composites were made by extrusion. In advance of main experiments, the effects of ultrasonic treatment of W-EPDM on the property of rubber composites, comparison in the property of the composites of W-EPDM with those of virgin and devulcanized EPDM, and waste tire rubber were investigated. Also, the properties of the rubber composites extruded with a 12-screw extruder were compared with those extruded with twin-screw extruder. Various W-EPDM composites for synthetic turf filler and car mat were extruded and injection molded, and 3 main properties of tensile strength, elongation and hardness were investigated to develop economical and proper recipes of the rubber composites.