Impact of Aging on Tensile Properties of EPDM, TPV, and eco-TPV: A Comparative Study Across Diverse Environments

Abstract This study examines the effects of aging on the tensile characteristics of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM), Thermoplastic Vulcanizates (TPV), and Eco-friendly Thermoplastic Vulcanizates (Eco TPV) in different conditions. The samples underwent thermal aging at a temperature of 90°C and were immersed in sulfuric acid solutions with varying concentrations (1M, 0.1M, and 0.001M) for a duration of 1000 hours at the same temperature. The findings revealed that EPDM demonstrated the maximum tensile strength and a moderate level of elongation and breakage. Furthermore, it retained substantial mechanical integrity after undergoing aging, thereby establishing it as the most resilient material among those evaluated. The thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) exhibited intermediate tensile strength and elongation, but experienced significant deterioration when exposed to very acidic environments while Eco TPV had lower tensile strength but good chemical stability. The stress-strain behavior and compression set tests emphasized EPDM’s exceptional durability and ability to recover elastically. The pH measurements of the immersion solutions indicated an elevation caused by the release of alkaline chemicals from the rubber components, especially in the 1M solution.