Tuning the Ablation, Thermal and Mechanical Characteristics of Phenolic Resin Reinforced EPDM Ultra-High Temperature Insulation

The present research reports the influences of variant phenolic resin concentrations on the thermo-mechanical and ablation characteristics of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) elastomer. Backface temperature acclivity (BTA), charring rates, and insulation indexes were executed for the fabricated composite specimens. It was noticed that BTA was enhanced while linear/radial/mass ablation rates were significantly diminished with increasing concentration of phenolic resin (PR) in base matrix (elastomeric polymer). The composite (30wt%PR/EPDM) has 25% high thermal endurance compared to virgin EPDM composite. Thermal conductivity was increased with increasing PR to EPDM ratio. PR incorporation has remarkably enhanced the ultimate tensile strength of the EPDM elastomer. An efficient improvement in elastomeric hardness was also observed with increasing PR contents in EPDM matrix. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) results showed the porosity generation and polymer melting during ablation.