Matching cure characteristics of automotive rubber compound and polyurethane coating

The present investigation focuses on matching cure characteristics of EPDM rubber compound and polyurethane (PU) coating using temperature modulated a nd pressure differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC, PDSC). TMDSC provides a detailed and better understanding of the curing process of model rubber system as well as complex automotive rubber compounds. The lo w level of unsaturation present in EPDM, results in the small heat of vulca nization (2-5 J g(-1)), which is difficult to accurately measure using conv entional differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thus, curing of highly fi lled EPDM compound was investigated using TMDSC. The kinetics of PU curing was monitored using pressure DSC (PDSC), and heat of curing was determined as 4.2 J g(-1) at 10 degreesC min(-1) heating rat e. It is found that complex automotive compounds and the PU coating are cur ing simultaneously.