Chemical Modification of Carbon Black for Coloring

Sealing profiles that are mainly used to prevent the ingress of water, noise, dust and air in the automotive industry are produced from synthetic Ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) rubber. Although EPDM rubber is preferred due to its high mechanical properties and waterproof structure, it is necessary to reinforce it with various additives due to the requirements for profiles in automotive manufacturers' specifications. One of the fillers used to keep the fluidity at the desired level during production and to improve the mechanical properties and UV resistance of the profiles is carbon black (CB) and has the highest contribution rate in the EPDM rubber formulation. Due to its high amount in the rubber formulation, it allows the rubber formulation and subsequently the sealing profiles produced with this formulation to be produced only in black. However, recently, automotive manufacturers have demanded different color profiles in line with the demands of end users. Solubility and reactivity of CB is low and it tends to aggregate. In order for CB to be colored, its surface will be activated and polarized using different chemicals. After that, a suitable dye can be attached to the structure after its structure has been determined by elemental analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX) and Thermal Analysis (TGA-DSC). After EPDM rubber will be produced by colored CB, the first colored sealing profile that has not been produced in our country and in the world yet, can be achieved.