Abstract

Ethylene–propylene polymers (also called EPDM or EPM) continue to be one of the most widely used and fastest growing synthetic rubbers. They are particularly known for their excellent resistance to ozone and aging in comparison with natural rubber and common polydiene synthetic rubbers. The technology of producing EP(D)M-rubber is still very much in development. Latter years have seen major breakthroughs in production-technologies relative to the more traditional solution- and slurry-processes, based on Ziegler-Natta catalysis: ie, Gas-phase technology and technology based on metallocene catalysis. EPDM-rubber can be extended with fillers and plasticizers to a very high level, leading to an attractive price/performance ratio in comparison with other rubbers. EPM can be vulcanized radically by means of peroxides; a small amount of built-in nonconjugated diene monomer in EPDM permits conventional vulcanization with rubber. Typical applications of EP(D)M are in automotive weatherstrip profiles and radiator hoses, in building and construction as sealing profiles and roofing foils; in cable and wire as insulating and jacketing material; in blends with general purpose rubbers to improve ozone resistance; as impact modifier for thermoplastics, and as additive to lubricating oils.