A suitable antioxidant for a poly(ethylene-co-propylene-co-5-ethylidene-2-norbornene) (EPDM) seal in tap water applications was determined with respect to volatilization and decomposition of the antioxidants. Seals were prepared by mixing EPDM with 1 phr antioxidant and other ingredients followed by vulcanizing the mixture at 433 K for 20 min. The resulting EPDM seals were immersed into chlorinated water to investigate accelerated degradation. The change in antioxidant content was measured by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The weight loss of amine antioxidants during vulcanization was quite low due to their low volatility and decomposition. Antioxidant weight loss during accelerated degradation depended on both the antioxidant's ability to trap radicals and solubility in chlorinated water.

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