Simultaneous crosslinking and foaming of ethylene‐propylene diene terpolymers (<scp>EPDM</scp>) organoclay composite foams

This study used ethylene-propylene diene monomers (EPDM), an elastomer, to develop foams incorporating clay as filler using simple compounding, chemical foaming, and peroxide-mediated light crosslinking methods. The low-temperature batch mixer was employed for compounding azodicarbonamide (ADC) a foaming agent, dicumyl peroxide (DCP) crosslinker, followed by compression molding sheet preparation the high-temperature process. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) equipped with hot stage attenuated total reflection (ATR) elucidate ADC decomposition foaming. DCP (0.25 phr) content optimized based on expansion ratio (>4) stability, which further in conjuncture generate high-performance composite foams. incorporation of 1% organoclay enhances specific tensile strength >7 ~ 270%, respectively, compared EPDM without while displaying density 0.11 g/cm3. Overall, developed process can be extended other elastomeric polymers various applications such protective gears (e.g., helmets shin guards), thermal/sound insulation, packaging/containment, footwear soles, oil absorption, etc.