A structural study of EPDM networks––the influence of the crosslinking mode on their microscopic structure

This work was performed to examine the network characteristics obtained for a given elastomer when various curing modes are used. We focused on the crosslinking procedures by peroxide, electron beam irradiation and mixed treatment (peroxide + electron beam irradiation), applied to an ethylene–propylene type polymer. The changes on the network have been followed as a function of peroxide concentration and irradiation dose. The effect on the curing efficiency of both the presence of the antioxidant and the termonomer have been especially considered. The network heterogeneity has been addressed.