Vulcanization Characteristics and Static/Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Chlorinated Butyl Rubber Matrix Materials

The damping performance of chlorinated butyl rubber (CIIR) is exceptional; however, its poor processability during vulcanization can lead to numerous defects. Natural rubber (NR) and ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) were selected to blend with CIIR for improving its processing performance. Their effects on the vulcanization characteristics, mechanical properties, and damping performance were investigated. Blending CIIR with NR can considerably increase the vulcanization speed of the rubber compound and improve production efficiency. The tensile strength of the vulcanizate first increases with an increase in the dosage of NR in NR/CIIR, and subsequently, it decreases before increasing again. The tensile strength first increases and then decreases with an increase in the EPDM dosage in EPDM/CIIR vulcanizate. The tensile strength increases by 15.6%when the EPDM dosage is 60 and 80 phr. EPDM and NR have similar effects on the damping performance of CIIR, which were evaluated by fitting the data of loss factor (∆<i>tanδ</i>) versus NR or EPDM dosage. Therefore, the quantity of NR or EPDM can be conveniently calculated based on performance requirements when designing the formula of the CIIR matrix materials.