What is EPDM Rubber?
Ethylene propylene diene monomer, or EPDM for short, is one of the commonly used polymers in the rubber extruding and rubber molding industry. It is the ideal choice for any product that requires general ozone, chemical and weather resistance. EPDM has good resistance to alcohols, greases, detergents, ketones, silicone oils, and mild acids. It’s also a fairly cost effective material.
These characteristics have contributed to EPDM Rubber’s reputation as one of the most basic and cost-effective materials options. If a product needs to be made from rubber, many manufacturers start with EPDM. EPDM is one of many types of synthetic rubbers.
Advantages of EPDM Rubber
EPDM is a great general purpose rubber because of it’s excellent weather resistance properties. It’s versatile, strong, cheap and easy to work with. One of the main advantages of EPDM rubber is its excellent weather resistance. Its advantages also include:
- Excellent resistance to ozone
- Excellent resistance to sunlight
- Good low-temperature flexibility
- Resistance to water and detergents
- Resistance to greases
- Resistance to mild acids and silicone oils
- Easy to process
- Relatively low cost
- Common and readily available
Disadvantages of EPDM Rubber
Unfortunately, EPDM rubber soaks oils and can fall apart when used for certain applications. While it is excellent in its resistance to outdoor elements, the main disadvantages of EPDM lay in its resistance to other common materials. Disadvantages of EPDM rubber include:
- Poor resistance to petroleum oils and fuel
- Poor resistance to mineral oils
- Poor resistance to petroleum-based lubricants
- Some limits on temperature range
- Weaker tear strength in comparison to natural rubber
- Poor abrasion resistance
Extruded EPDM Rubber
EPDM Rubber is most commonly used in environments where ozone resistance is important, mainly outdoor applications. If your product is used in the sun, EPDM rubber is an ideal choice of material. Common applications of EPDM rubber include: U-Channel Extrusions, Extruded Rubber Shapes, Seals and Extruded Rubber Profiles, Dual – Durometer Extrusions, Closed Cell Sponge and Continuous Sheet for die cutting applications, Flame Retardant Seals, Energy Saving EPDM Weather Seals, and Injection Moulded products.
Angle & L Extrusions- Composite Self-Grip
- Container Door Seals
- Custom Rubber Extrusions
- D Section Rubber Buffers
- Draught Excluders & Seals
- Edge Protection Rubber Profiles
- Expansion Seals
- Facade Rubber Seals
- Flame Retardant Extrusions
- Glazing Seals
- Hatch Seals
- Lip Seal Profiles
- Neoprene Sponge Cord
- P Seals & Bead Profiles
- Ramp Edging Profiles
- Rubber U Channels
- Solid & Sponge Rubber Cords
- Sponge Profiles
- Square U Channels
- T Profiles
- Tank Strap
- Vulcanised/Scarf Jointed Rings
- Yacht Seals
Molded EPDM Rubber
- Rubber Bellows
- Rubber Grommets
- Rubber Expansion Joints
- Hoses & Ducting
- Plug/Caps/Stoppers
- Vibration Isolators
- Rubber Molded Bumpers & Feet
- Electrical Insulator Gaskets
We offer any form of custom extruded and molded EPDM rubber seals and/or gaskets. We are setup to process both high and low volume orders. That being said, we are able to produce anywhere from one piece to thousands of pieces. There is no minimum quantity on orders and expedited jobs are accepted.