Crosslinking of saturated elastomers

The main advantage of saturated elastomers, such as EPM, SEBS and HNBR over their unsaturated counter parts is their superior stability against oxygen, ozone, heat and radiation. The problem with cross-linking of saturated elastomers is their low reactivity: saturated chains react only under very specific conditions and by a very limited number of reactions. The common way to overcome the lack of reactivity is by pursuing free-radical reactions with peroxide. The project focuses on development of functionalised molecules, and their application as cross-linking agents in saturated elastomers. Azide reactions could be an alternative with much higher cross-linking efficiency and reduction of polymer degradation.