Ethylene propylene rubber
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), (sometimes called Ethylene propylene monomer (EPM) referring to an ASTM standard) is a type of synthetic elastomer that is closely related to ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM rubber). Since introduction in the 1960s, annual production has increased to 870,000 metric tons.[1][2]
EPR is used in electrical cable insulation, and in many flexible rubber goods such as hoses or weatherstripping.
Polymer properties
EPM is considered a valuable elastomer due to its useful chemical and physical properties; it is resistant to heat, oxidation, ozone and the weather (owing to its stable, saturated backbone) and it is also not susceptible to color loss.[2] As a non-polar compound, EPM is an electrical insulator and it is insoluble in many polar solvents, both protic and aprotic. Amorphous forms of EPM are flexible at low temperatures (with glass transition points around -60 °C).[2] Via selection of certain sulfur compounds EPM can remain heat resistant up to 130 °C and up to 160 °C with peroxide curing. These two tables contain some of the main properties of EPM.[2]
| Property Type | EPM Property |
|---|---|
| Mooney viscosity at 125 °C | 5-200 |
| Ethylene content percentage by weight | 45-80 |
| Diene content percentage by weight | 0-15 |
| Specific gravity | 0.855-0.880 |
| Property type | EPM Property |
|---|---|
| Hardness (Shore A durometer) | 30–95 |
| Tensile strength (MPa) | 7–21 |
| Elongation | 100–600% |
| Compression set B | 20–60% |
| Useful temperature range (°C) | −50 to +160 |
| Tear resistance | Fair to good |
| Abrasion resistance | Fair to good |
| Resilience | Fair to good |
| Electrical properties | Insulator |
Uses
EPM has a large number of uses due to the many ways in which the polymer can be designed, for example; it is used in automotive weather-stripping and seals, self-amalgamating tape, glass run channels, radiators, garden and appliance hoses, tubing, belts, roofing membranes, expansion joints, rubber mechanical goods, plastic impact modification, thermoplastic vulcanisates and motor oil additive applications. EPM is even more prevalent as an insulator for high-voltage cables (usually referred as HEPR - Hard grade Ethylene Propylene Rubber) since it has improved insulative characteristics over more traditional cables, such as cross-linked polyethylene, enabling a smaller cross sectional area for the same load carrying capacity. The cable is flexible and suited to applications where regular cable movement is required such as in the mining industry.[2]
Producers
Major producers and suppliers of EPM include Crompton Corporation, Exxon-Mobil, Dupont, Herdillia, Kumho Polychem, LANXESS, Mitsui Chemicals, ENI Versalis and Sumitomo Chemical.[2]