Physico-Mechanical Properties of Gamma Irradiated EPDM Rubber Nano composites Loaded with Fumed Silica and Zirconium Silicate

Ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM/ nano-filler) composites were prepared and crosslinked by gamma rays. The composites either contain 40phr of fumed silica, 40 phr of zirconium silicate, separately, or different ratios from both ranging from 30:10-10:30, respectively. The effect of the presence of these fillers in the composites on their electrical and thermal properties was studied. The mechanical properties namely, tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break at different irradiation doses has been measured. The best mechanical properties for the all irradiated composites were attended at 100 kGy. The fumed silica increased the tensile strength and volume resistivity of the composites, but Zirconium silicate slightly increased the thermal stability and the former properties.