Mechanism of formation of fine rubber powder from ternary ethylene–propylene–diene vulcanizates

The process of comminution of EPDM vulcanizates with different content of plasticizer (paraffin oil) is studied. A sol–gel analysis is performed, and the crosslink density in the rubber powders obtained is determined. The surface morphology of these rubber powders is examined by scanning electron microscope. The surface of the particles shows characteristic regions of plastic and brittle fracture. A model of the structure of particles of rubber powders is proposed.