Dynamic mechanical properties of particle-reinforced EPDM composites

The dynamic mechanical property of particle-reinforced ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) matrix composites has been studied by using a dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer (DMTA). The individual composite has been reinforced with the various reinforcing particles as follows: silicon carbide particles (SiCps) of 60 Am in average diameter with various volume fractions (i.e., 10-40%); copper (Cu) and aluminum (Al) particles with 20 vol %; and SiCps with 6 and 36 mum in different average diameters with 20 vol % over the total composite volume. It is shown from the experimental results that the dynamic elastic modulus values increase and the composites with 40 vol % SiCps exhibit higher tan delta values through the entire rubbery phase after the glass transition region compared with the composites with lower particle volume percentages. This shows that the composites with 20 vol % Cu particles have the higher dynamic elastic modulus but the lower peak tan delta value than the composites with other particles of 20 vol % do. Scanning electron microscopy results show that the effective particle volume in the composite with Cu particles is higher than the other composites, although the same particle volume fraction of 20% has been used. (C) 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.