Preparation and electrical characterization of EPDM nanocomposites by using silica nanoparticles

The present study focuses on the preparation of EPDM nanocomposites by using silica nanoparticles, as well as mechanical and electrical characterization of the nanocomposites. To incorporate nanoparticles on the polymer we use two different methods. The nanoparticles were chemical modified using vinyltriethoxysilane in order to make them compatible with the polymer, this process is commonly known as silanization. Tensile and dielectric properties were measured for EPDM nanocomposites at two filler concentration, making difference between modified and unmodified silica nanoparticles. The dispersion of nanoparticles in the nanocomposites was observed by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM).