The effect of curing on sorption and diffusion of a brake fluid in EPDM elastomer

Abstract The effect of a poly(ether glycol) brake fluid on cured EPDM (ethylenepropylene- diene monomer) elastomer based on 5-ethylidene-2-norborene has been studied. Different amounts of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) curing agent were used and the effect of ageing in a brake fluid (at 100°C for 70 h) on technical properties of EPDM have been investigated. By increasing the amount of DCP, significant changes were not observed. Tensile strength and modulus increased but elongation at break and abrasion loss decreased due to oxidative degradation and crosslinking. Hardness was constant due to the replacement of plasticizer with brake oil.