Materials
EPDM moulding: seals and rubber components for outdoor use
We compression-mould EPDM components to customer drawings, including rubber-to-metal parts: a synthetic rubber with very good resistance to weathering, ozone, UV light, water and steam.
What is EPDM?
EPDM is a synthetic rubber made of ethylene and propylene with a small proportion of diene, which allows vulcanisation. Its main chain is saturated, with no double bonds: this is why it resists heat, light and ozone much better than other rubbers.
It is compatible with water, steam and polar fluids such as dilute acids and bases, alcohols, ketones, glycols and many detergents, and stays elastic at low temperatures. It is not suitable, however, for mineral oils, fuels and hydrocarbons, which make it swell.
When a fluoroelastomer (FKM) is chosen mainly for resistance to weathering, steam and polar fluids, EPDM can be a PFAS-free alternative.
Properties of EPDM
- High resistance to weathering
- Good resistance to high and low temperatures
- Good insulating properties
- Low gas permeability
- Good elasticity
Indicative continuous service temperatures for the most common grades: the exact value depends on the grade and formulation and should be checked on the data sheet of the chosen material.
What is EPDM used for?
- Seals for building services and plant
- O-rings and washers
- End caps for inflatable boats
- Cable grommets
- Outdoor components for marine, furniture and industrial use
How we mould EPDM
EPDM compounds are compression-vulcanised, with peroxides or sulphur depending on the formulation, and can be vulcanised onto metal inserts to produce rubber-to-metal components.
EPDM or another material?
The material is chosen according to the conditions of use of the component. The closest alternatives:
-
NBR Nitrile rubber (acrylonitrile butadiene)
NBR resists oils and fuels, which make EPDM swell; EPDM performs better outdoors and with water, steam and polar fluids.
-
VMQ Silicone
For higher temperatures or non-toxicity requirements, silicone is the next step.
-
NR Natural rubber
Natural rubber has better mechanical properties but ages much faster outdoors.
Further reading
Do you have a component to make in EPDM?
Send us your drawing or a sample: the contact form opens with the material already selected. If the material is still open, we will choose it together.
Materials
Other materials
- PSPolystyrene
- ABSAcrylonitrile butadiene styrene
- PEPolyethylene
- PPPolypropylene
- PCPolycarbonate
- PVCPhthalate-free polyvinyl chloride
- TPUThermoplastic polyurethane
- SBS / SEBSStyrenic thermoplastic elastomers (TPS)
- POMPolyoxymethylene
- PA 6 / PA 66Polyamide
- PEIPolyetherimide (e.g. ULTEM™)
- NRNatural rubber
- NBRNitrile rubber (acrylonitrile butadiene)
- VMQSilicone