Degradation of EPDM seal used for water supplying system

Degradation of ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) rubber seal used for supplying water system was investigated through spectroscopic techniques. The EPDM seal was utilized at 20–45 °C for about 3 years. It was characterized by solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy equipped with field gradient fast magic angle spinning probe and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. Morphology of the EPDM seal was observed by scanning electron microscopy, focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy and electron probe micro-analysis. The hardness and crosslink density of EPDM seal were reduced by a factor of one-half after using for supplying water system, even though it contains little amount of carbon–carbon double bond. Surface of the EPDM seal was significantly damaged by water. The degradation of EPDM seal was associated with chain scission and oxidation of EPDM.