Physical studies of foamed reinforced rubber composites Part I. Mechanical properties of foamed ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer and nitrile–butadiene rubber composites

Reinforced ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer (EPDM) and nitrile–butadiene rubber (NBR) blends were compounded with different concentrations of azodicarbonamide (ADC/K) foaming agent to obtain foamed EPDM and NBR composites. The mechanical properties under compression and under extension at different temperatures were measured for these foams. It was found that the increase of foaming agent concentration and temperature affect all the mechanical parameters. The obtained stress–strain data are discussed in the light of the continuum mechanics theory for compressible materials. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry