EPDM Product,Formulation and Process for Making Automotive Sponge Weatherstrip

摘要

Due to its outstanding UV stability,thermal stability,hot air-aging resistance and excellent polar fluid resistance,EPDM rubber is the material of choice to manufacture various automotive rubber parts,including weatherstrip.Automotive weatherstrip includes sponge profile,dense profile,and corner molding.EPDM products used for automotive weatherstrip extruded sponge profiles are highly specialized and have reached a high degree of advancement to meet increasing demands for automotive sealing applications.This report summarizes a)the recent NORDEL? EPDM product developments for sponge applications;and b)EPDM sponge formulation developments from The Dow Chemical Company.NORDEL? EPDM polymer properties,sponge profile formulation and mixing process,compound rheology,vulcanization characteristics,and mechanical properties are discussed.In addition,a practical trouble-shooting guide is provided to assist EPDM compounders and fabricators in resolving formulation,compounding,and processing issues typically encountered during sponge application development and production.