Effects of wood fiber loading, silane modification and crosslinking on the thermomechanical properties and thermal conductivity of EPDM biocomposite foams.

Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber based bio-composites filled with silane-modified wood fiber (SiWF) were foamed by using chemical foaming method. The SiWF and the incorporation of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) generated crosslinking in the developed EPDM bio-composite foams, which showed much lower water absorption and improved thermomechanical properties. With SiWF and in situ cross-linking, the tensile strength and modulus of EPDM bio-composite foams exhibited up to 90% and 600% enhancement compared to the unfilled foam, respectively. The compressive strength and modulus individually showed up to 170% and 600% increase. The developed bio-composite foams also displayed lower apparent thermal conductivity than the unfilled EPDM foam over the heating temperature range, showing possible applications as insulation materials. [Display omitted] • Sustainable EPDM based bio-composite foams were designed and synthesized. • Silane-modified bio-composite foams showed much lower water absorption. • The bio-composite foams displayed cross-linking and improved properties. • The bio-composite foams displayed appealing insulation properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]