Performance of Rubber Seals for Cable-Based Tsunameter with Varying Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer and Filler Content

This study evaluates the performance of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) composites for rubber sealing applications in a cable-based tsunami system. Rubber composites were prepared using EPDM rubber with varying monomer and filler content to determine the most suitable composite. Mechanical characterization reveals that the composition of EPDM and the amount of filler loading influence the mechanical properties. Dynamic mechanical analysis shows that ethylene and 5-ethylene-2-norbornene (ENB) content influence the glass transition and viscoelastic behavior of the composite. Thermal analysis of rubber composites using EPDM containing 70% ethylene and 5% ENB indicates no change in thermal stability due to prolonged immersion in seawater. Visual inspection using a microscope reveals no cracks on the surface of the rubber seal after the pressure chamber test for rubber composites utilizing EPDM with 70% ethylene and 5% ENB. It was shown that EPDM containing 70% ethylene and 5% ENB, with optimal reinforcement with 80 phr carbon black, exhibits the best performance for rubber sealing applications in subsea environments.