Effects of thermal aging on fatigue of carbon black-reinforced EPDM rubber

Deterioration of the parameters measuring the fatigue of rubber compounds as a result of thermal aging was investigated. The energy to break, tear strength, fatigue life, and fatigue crack propagation rate of EPDM rubber compounds reinforced with three different types of carbon black before and after different periods of thermal aging were measured and compared through a series of static and cyclic loading tests. The experimental results indicated that the fatigue resistance of EPDM rubber compounds with different types of carbon black was consistently reduced because of changes in the molecular structure and crosslink density as a result of thermal aging. Meanwhile, the intrinsic flaws of carbon black-reinforced EPDM rubber compounds after 6 months of thermal aging were smaller, regardless of the type of carbon black. Therefore, the effects of thermal aging on the fatigue of rubber compounds are significant and should be taken into account in designing rubber components. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.