Title of the Ph.D Thesis:
“Ethylene propylene diene ter polymer/hexa fluoropropylene vinylediene fluoride elastomeric composites: Thermal, Mechanical and Microwave properties”
Abstract of the Ph. D Work:
Fluoroelastomers (FKM) are widely used in many energy related industrial applications as in automobile, aerospace, offshore applications due to their excellent resistance to heat, oil and solvent. EPDM is a material that has excellent performances in low-temperature flexibility, thermal stability, weatherability and aging resistance to oxidation and ozone. In this work, EPDM/FKM blends were prepared with and without compatibilizer. The effect of blend ratio (EPDM/FKM) on thermal, mechanical and microwave characteristics were analysed and the effect of different flame retardants like Aluminium hydroxide (ATH), Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), Decabromobiphenyl oxide (DBBO), Expanded graphite (EG) on thermal, mechanical and flame resistant properties of the prepared blend were also studied. The work investigates the beneficial effects of blending EPDM and FKM, as a potential material for high temperature applications. The possibilities of using these composites for EMI shielding and profile applications were also investigated. This is an inter-disciplinary work in collaboration with Microwave Tomography and Materials Research Laboratory, Department of Electronics, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Kochi-682 022, India.