BONDING OF EPDM TO STAINLESS-STEEL BY USI NG WATER-SOLUBLE POLYMERS

In this paper a new aqueous bonding system is described for the adhesi on of EPDM-rubber to stainless steel, Water-soluble polymeric coupling agents are proposed, obtained by chemical modification of poly(acryli c acid). The synthesis of the water-soluble polymers and their charact erisation and testing with the ISO-5600 standard test are discussed, A n autoclave test at 135 degrees C in a 50/50 % water-glycol mixture wa s performed with stainless steel-EPDM joints. By using a coupling agen t with carboxylic acid, hydroxamic acid and allylglycidyl ether groups the joints can successfully withstand the autoclave test for 22 h.