EFFECT OF ZINC OXIDE LOADING LEVELS ON THE CURE CHARACTERISTICS, MECHANICAL AND AGING PROPERTIES OF THE EPDM RUBBER

This paper attempts to show that, activated by adding different loading levels of zinc oxide (ZnO). to mix and distribute the elements of the rubber compound. MV rheometer employed to determine the properties of th 6 min. The curing process carried out using the hot press at a temperature of 180°C and pressure of 10 bars. Results show that the addition hundred parts of rubber (phr) scorch time ,curing time with particularly at 2 and 4 phr modulus of elasticity at 300% elongation, hardness and compressio phr represent the best loading level of the ZnO, which had more effect on the aging and mechanical properties. especially when the retention percentage of the properties