LANXESS AG has developed a performance at comparable with natural rubber EPDM –Keltan 9565Q, and natural rubber than aging cKeltan 9565Q ultra-high molecular weight such that it has a similar natural rubber attributes like high strength and elasticity. Moreover, as a saturated polymer, this new product retains the EPDM heat resistance, weather resistance and ozone resistance. Accordingly, Keltan 9565Q is better than natural rubber in heat aging, particularly in high-dynamic applications. Furthermore, compared with natural rubber, Keltan 9565Q decreases processing costs.
“Mechanical engineering and automotive industry customers demand high operating temperature rubber products,” Lanxess Performance Elastomers Business Unit synthetic rubber expert John Beelen explains. “Natural rubber With its high flexibility and tear resistance has been applied in the industrial field, but natural rubber is difficult to meet the increasing temperature requirements.”
Despite the poor heat aging properties of natural rubber, the rubber components are subjected to high stress (such as shock absorbing member), the so far natural rubber is still considered as almost indispensable material. The reason for this dilemma is the typical molecular structure of this historic material. Natural rubber a highly ordered long chain molecular structure guarantees its excellent flexibility, but the unsaturated bonds of the polymer main chain, oxygen decomposition, ultraviolet light and gradual heat occurrence of secondary crosslinking reaction leads to cracks in the vulcanised natural rubber as it is subjected to high temperatures and the mid-term brittle. The use of additives to slow the natural process is not a long-term solution.
LANXESS chemists have developed Keltan 9565Q in a different, more sustainable way to meet the challenge by improving the synthesis process even after heat aging remains the same.LANXESS new material and even the process has brought benefits. Compared with natural rubber, EPDM rubber due to molecular chain backbone does not contain a double bond and less prone to reversion. Meanwhile, the synthetic rubber can be processed at higher temperatures – which can greatly improve productivity.
