Mechanical Properties and Infrared Reflectance of TiO2‐Rubber Compounds for Cool‐Roof Application

In this work, sub-micrometric titanium dioxide (TiO2 powder rutile) was used as filler in the EPDM rubber matrix to produce cool roof compounds. Rheological tests show that TiO2 reduces scorch time and increases maximum torque, playing a reinforcement role. UV aging tests depict that TiO2 imparts UV stability to the compounds, preventing discoloration and maintaining structural integrity. Among all, the EPDM-300TiO2 formulation shows improved tensile strength and adhesion to steel substrates; the compound demonstrates cool roof efficacy, with high solar reflectance (SR = 0.883) and infrared emittance (IE = 0.895) lowering the roof surface temperatures by 15°C in comparison to conventional materials. Thermal simulations indicate a substantial reduction in heat transfer into buildings with lower cooling energy requirements. The overall material's durability, mechanical properties, and thermal performance underscore its potential for long-term uses in sustainable building applications.