Abstract
The use of pulsed NMR analysis under proper operating conditions has proven to be useful for controlling various polymer compositions in the manufacture of EPDM. It can be used in determining the amount of oil incorporated into oil-extended EPDMs. At higher oil contents, the differences in EPDM properties will affect this test method, which will require a separate calibration curve for each type of polymer. It can be used to measure the propylene content of EPDM. Comparison data have shown that this technique is more accurate in predicting crystallinity or propylene content than the standard IR method within the propylene range of 22 to 41%. Pulsed NMR can also be used to predict uncured EPDM compound tensile strength and EPDM/PP compression-molded tensile strength. Since these properties are affected by the crystallinity of EPDM, of which percent ethylene is the major contributor, then tensile strength can be determined indirectly. Based on the tensile and SER correlation, it seems obvious that this technique is measuring the spin-spin relaxation times of the crystalline phase, whereas the ir method is only measuring propylene content.
