NEW COAGENTS IN PEROXIDE VULCANIZATION OF EPM

In a previous study, the mechanism of EPM peroxide vulcanization in th e presence of various aromatic bis(allyl)esters was elucidated. It was concluded that the elastomer-coagent blend was phase separated and th at during vulcanization chemical crosslinks are formed between the ela stomer matrix and coagent domains. In this study the effect of the che mical structure of the coagent on the ultimate properties of the vulca nizate is reported. For this purpose a series of new coagents has been synthesized. It was found that bis(allyl) coagents with relatively fl exible interlinking segments provide vulcanizates with improved mechan ical properties.