Dynamic mechanical properties of SBR and EPDM vulcanisates filled with cryogenically pulverized flexible polyurethane foam particles

The dynamic mechanical properties of rubber vulcanisates filled with cryoge nically pulverized polyurethane foam particles, used as a reinforcing fille r, were investigated with respect to storage modulus (E'), loss modulus, an d the variation of glass transition temperature. Two rubbers were using sty rene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and ethylene-propylene copolymer (EPDM). The ef fects of filler concentration and filler characteristics (such as particle size and moisture content) were also monitored. It was found that the optim um dynamic mechanical properties of the compounds were obtained when introd ucing the PU particles of 40-50 parts per hundred (pph) rubber in the SBR a nd 30 pph in the EPDM, the properties being affected by the size of PU part icles and moisture content. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.