EPDM – Choosing thE right MatErial for thE job

1. EPDM EPDM – – Choosing Choosing thE thE right right MatErial for thE thE job job MatErial for Just as there is a “right man for the job”, there is also a right material for the job. EPDM sponge rubber seals and gaskets are used widely with vehicles and equipment. EPDM Custom Rubber Seals advantages are numerous, however, and this cost-effective compound is often a better choice than silicones – especially in outdoor environments. EPDM is a high-density synthetic rubber that has the ability to resistant high temperatures. It is also resistant to weathering, acids and alkali’s, flame retardant and has a high tensile range. These properties make it the ideal product to use for seals, grommets, O-rings epdm sponge rubber seals, Custom Rubber Seals, automotive weatherstripping, and rubber window channels and many other components that are used within the industrial and automotive industry and many other applications. In this article, we’ll examine EPDM sponge rubber advantages and applications. EPDM Advantages Edge Trim Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) is a compound that resists sunlight, ozone, oxygen, aging, acids, alkalis, water, and severe weather conditions. This odor-free elastomeric also provides excellent color stability and high heat resistance. Depending on the compound’s chemistry, service temperatures can range from -70° C to 250° C. All EPDM rubber isn’t the same, so differences in ethylene content and the dienes that are used can affect physical properties.

2. EPDM sponge rubber also provides good-to-high strength and elasticity. Tensile strength, the resistance of a material to breaking under tension, is often measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). Elasticity, a measure of a material’s ability to resume its normal shape after being stretched or compressed, is expressed as a percentage. With EPDM, this percentage is typically in the more 300% range. Most EPDM rubber has a durometer, or hardness, of 40 to 90 (Shore A). EPDM Applications With its strong thermal and mechanical properties, EPDM is a good choice for the door and window seals used with mobile equipment. These rubber gaskets seal out wind, water, dust, mud, and a range of outdoor temperatures. EPDM sponge also provide a measure of acoustic insulation against road noise and equipment sounds. Additional vehicle applications include hood seals. EPDM’s strength and elasticity also make it a good choice for the vibration isolation mounts used with machinery. For bus, subway, and rail manufacturers, certified-transit grade (CTG) seals made from a special epdm sponge rubber can meet specific flame, smoke, and toxicity (FST) requirements. Indoors, EPDM rubber is used for applications where there’s contact with hot and cold water or saturated steam. Examples include refrigerator and freezer gaskets, dust boots, and rubber pipe sleeves. With its resistance to vibration and support for thermal expansion and contraction, EPDM is also a good choice for automotive weatherstripping