ABSTRACT
Polymerization of ethylene with propylene yields random amorphous or slightly crystalline copolymers Ethylene–propylene monomer (EPM), which have a glass transition temperature of approximately –55°C, and, therefore, are rubbery at room temperature. EPM must be compounded and cross-linked to achieve a good balance of engineering properties. The objective of DSM studies was to develop new EPM-based elastomers that have improved oil resistance. The idea was to develop such products by chemical modification of EPM copolymers using highly polar graft monomers, such as maleic anhydride (MA), and, optionally, by reacting these EPM-g-MA polymers with other chemicals as a way to further enhance the polarity of the products. The oil resistance of a rubber is one of the key characteristics in the final selection of the rubber to be used, especially in automotive, industrial, and seal applications. The reaction of EPM-g-MA with primary aliphatic amines results in amide acids, which at elevated temperature convert to imides.
