Chemorheological time-temperature-transformation-viscosity diagram: Foamed EPDM rubber compound

Thermal analysis, rheometry, and kinetic modeling are used to generate a comprehensive processability diagram for thermosetting and elastomeric resins. A chemorheological “time-temperature-transformation-viscosity” diagram is proposed to fully characterize curing reactions toward process' on-line control, optimization, and material design. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric techniques are used to measure total reaction heat, degree of vulcanization, and cure kinetics. The viscosity, as a function of temperature and cure degree, is obtained from parallel plate rheometry. The auto-catalytic Kamal–Sourour model, including a diffusion-control mechanism, is used to model cure kinetics, while the Castro–Macosko model serves to model the rheological behavior. Non-linear least-squares regression and numerical integration are used to find models' parameters and to construct the chemorheological diagram. The usefulness of the proposed methodology is illustrated in the context of an industrial-like Ethylene Propylene Diene Termononer rubber compound that includes a chemical blowing agent. Even though the rubber formulation contains crosslinking agents, primary and secondary accelerators, promoters, activators, and processing aids, the chemorheological diagram is obtained consistently, validating the proposed methodology to any thermosetting or elastomeric resin. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43966. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.