• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.436-442
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• 2003

Thermosetting elastomer such as EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Dien Rubber) has been applied to the sponge weatherstrip of a vehicle as a main material. However, the thermosetting elastomers have limited recycling and have brought about the environmental problems. Furthermore, many steps of the manufacturing process such as formulation, mastication and vulcanization make difficult to control uniformity of the endproducts. These problems of current EPDM weatherstrip necessitated development of a new recyclable material, Thermoplastic Vulcanizates (TPV). In this study the influence of the water contents, and the processing conditions. On the foam density and structure in water blowing process was carried out. We found that TPV also can be foamed with water, maintaining the uniformity form this study. Therefore, many inevitable problems of EPDM weatherstrip can be solved, and this new technique is expected to take a roll of making a breakthrough in the rubber industry.