Preparation of EPDM Flame-Resistant Cable Materials
EPDM cable materials were prepared, in which EPDM was used as raw materials, silica as a reinforcement, sulfur and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as the curing agent, aluminum hydroxide (ATH) and magnesium hydroxide (MH) as the flame retardants. The best content and cure parameters of EPDM cable materials were determined by testing hardness, tensile strength, elongation at break, thermal properties and oxygen index, as well as analyzing SEM. The results showed that the properties of EPDM cable materials with DCP were better than those with sulfur or sulfur / DCP blend. The flame retardance of EPDM cable materials with ATH / MH blend was better than that with ATH or MH. The ideal formula of EPDM flame-resistant cable material was EPDM 100 phr, silica 45 phr, DCP 3.5 phr, ATH 90 phr and MH 10 phr. The best curing conditions were at 170 °C under 1.2 MPa for 10 min.