A new method for studying the wear properties of novel wear‐resistant ethylene propylene diene monomers/polyamide elastomer material from the perspective of cross‐linked network structure

Abstract The cross‐linked network and dynamic viscoelastic properties of ethylene propylene diene monomers (EPDMs)/polyamide elastomer (PAE) were systematically investigated by using equilibrium swelling test and rheological experiment. The filler network formed by single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in the matrix of EPDM/PAE was studied and discussed in detail by virtue of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The DIN abrasion test was conducted to derive the cross‐linked network dependence of the frictional wear performance of EPDM. The results indicated that the chemical cross‐linked network was contributed by EPDM and EPDM‐PAE macromolecular chains. In addition, the physical cross‐linked network consisted of the macromolecular entanglement of EPDM‐PAE and the interactions between EPDM/PAE and SWCNTs. Introducing PAE into EPDM matrix resulted in the change of the cross‐linked network, which was considered as the key factor to improve the abrasion resistance of EPDM. Furthermore, the physical cross‐linked network generated by PAE improved the strength of the EPDM matrix prominently. It is an innovative work in exploring the effect of microscopic structure on the macroscopic wear performance of EPDM vulcanizates. Highlights Preparation of EPDM/PAE elastomer using new wear‐resistant material. Analysis on the effect of solubility parameters using Hansen solubility parameter (HSP). Flory–Huggins interaction parameter on three‐dimensional crosslink networks. Microscopic discussion on crosslink‐filling network structure. A new perspective on the discussion of wear resistance mechanism.