EPDM: Ethylene propylene diene rubber

What is ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM)?

Ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber) is a synthetic rubber. Rubber, which is characterised by outstanding resistance to weathering, ozone and ageing. It is manufactured from ethylene, propylene and a small proportion of a diene, which has a Vulcanisation made possible.

Due to its saturated polymer structure, EPDM is particularly resistant to environmental influences and thermal ageing, making it one of the most frequently used elastomers in outdoor applications.

Properties of ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM)

Excellent weather, ozone and UV resistance even without protective additives
Temperature resistance of approx. -50 °C until +130 °C
Very good resistance to hot water, water vapour, glycol-based brake fluids and many polar chemicals
Good elasticity even at low temperatures
High electrical insulation capacity
Poor resistance to mineral oils, fuels and aromatic hydrocarbons
Good mixing and processing properties for complex geometries in mould making

Areas of application & material combinations of ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM)

EPDM is preferably used in Seals, Sealing lips, hoses, diaphragms and Vibration dampers especially in the construction, automotive and electrical industries. Typical applications include door and window profiles, roof seals, cooling water hoses, cable sheathing and O-rings for hot water and steam systems.

For use in Rubber-metal composite parts or Rubber-fabric composites durable, weatherproof assemblies are created. Thanks to its resistance to water and chemicals, EPDM is also used in the food and drinking water industry, often with corresponding certification.

Further entries

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PES: Polyester

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Pressure resistance

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Inserts

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Valves

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Vacuum cups

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Degreasing

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Ageing

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Rubber blank

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Plasticiser

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Sealing lips

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Calendering

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Mould cavity / cavity

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Rubber

Rubber is an elastic material of natural or synthetic origin that is vulcanised into durable components for sealing, damping and technical applications.

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PPS: Polyphenylene sulphide

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Metal oxide crosslinking

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Polymerisation

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Sampling

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Assembly Services

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Seals

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IIR: Butyl rubber

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Cycle time

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Prototype construction

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Rubber buffers

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Polyurethane (PU)

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Rubber-Plastic Composite Parts

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Stress cracking

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Keyboard and switch covers

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ISO 13485

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SBR: styrene-butadiene rubber

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Oil resistance

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PA: Polyamide

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Vibration dampers

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Autoclaves

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ISO 9001

ISO 9001 is the world's most important standard for quality management. It defines how companies manage their processes so that products and services deliver consistently high quality and fulfil customer requirements.

Toolmaking

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EPDM: Ethylene propylene diene rubber

EPDM is a weather, UV and chemical-resistant elastomer with high thermal stability that is used in particular for durable seals, hoses and outdoor applications in industry and construction.

Deburring

Deburring is the process of removing burrs from components to ensure the function, appearance and safety of technical products.

Rubber expansion joints

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Compound

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Bearing bolt

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TPE: Thermoplastic elastomers

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FVMQ: Fluorosilicone

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HTV silicone: High-temperature curing solid silicone

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Express Services

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Elongation

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brass

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HNBR: Hydrogenated NBR

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CR: Chloroprene rubber

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Injection moulding

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REACH

REACH is an EU regulation for the registration, evaluation and regulation of chemical substances in order to better protect people and the environment. Companies must prove the safety of the raw materials they use and inform customers if their products contain substances of concern.

PP: Polypropylene

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PPA: Polyphthalamide

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Copolymerisation

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Rubber-Metal Composite Parts

Rubber-metal composite parts are mechanically stable components in which elastomer and metal are inseparably combined - ideal for bearings, dampers and technical sealing systems.

Biocompatibility

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LSR: Liquid silicone

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Series production

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RoHS

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Synthetic rubber

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Residual materials

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FDA conformity

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FKM: Fluororubber

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Medical device regulation (MDR)

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Tensile strength

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Extrusion of rubber

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RTV silicone: Room temperature curing solid silicone

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Fillers

Fillers are functional additives in rubber or plastic compounds that specifically influence mechanical properties, processability or cost structure.

Tempering

Annealing is a thermal post-treatment that reduces residual stresses, stabilises material properties and improves the functionality of technical components.

Rubber recycling

Rubber recycling includes mechanical, thermal and chemical processes for the reuse of vulcanised rubber products as raw materials or additives in new applications.

Saturated and unsaturated polymers

Saturated polymers have only single bonds in the main chain and are resistant to ageing, while unsaturated polymers contain double bonds in the main chain and are easier to crosslink; EPDM is a speciality because its double bond is in the side chain.

Anti-ageing agent

Anti-ageing agents are functional additives that protect elastomers and plastics from damaging influences such as oxygen, ozone, UV radiation or heat, thereby significantly extending their service life.

Cold resistance

Cold resistance describes the ability of a material to remain functional and elastic at low temperatures - crucial for seals and elastomer components in outdoor or cold applications.

Adhesion

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Titanium

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Outgassing

Outgassing is the escape of volatile substances from materials and can lead to malfunctions, contamination or optical faults in sensitive applications.

Bellows

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Elongation at break

The elongation at break indicates how much a material can stretch under tensile load before it tears.

Tool costs

Tool costs are the expenses for the manufacture of tools and have a significant influence on the profitability of series production.

Profile seal

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ISO 14001

ISO 14001 explained: an overview of the requirements, areas of application and benefits of the international standard for environmental management systems.

Structural steel: S235 and S355

Structural steel (S235, S355) is a robust, easily weldable construction steel that is used as a stable carrier material in load-bearing structures, machine components and rubber-metal composite parts.

ABS: Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a robust, impact-resistant and easy-to-process plastic that is used for housings, interior parts and rubber-plastic composite components with high surface and dimensional stability requirements.

Elastomer rollers

Rubber rollers transmit forces, dampen vibrations and protect surfaces in printing machines, conveyor systems and packaging lines.

Heat resistance

Heat-resistant materials retain their properties at high temperatures and are ideal for industrial and technical applications.

Silane crosslinking

Silane crosslinking is a moisture-controlled crosslinking process for plastics and elastomers that enables mechanical stability at moderate processing temperatures.

Caoutchouc vs. rubber vs. elastomer

Rubber is the raw material, rubber is the end product created by vulcanisation, and elastomer is the superordinate material class of elastic polymers.

Suction pad

Suction cups are cup-shaped suction cups made of elastomer or plastic that cling elastically to the surface and trap the resulting vacuum. Suction cups create an adhesive connection between the gripper and the workpiece by means of negative pressure.

Grommets

Grommets are ring- or disc-shaped protective inserts that are inserted into openings or edges to allow cables to pass through safely. Grommets protect cables and hoses from sharp edges, seal feed-throughs and can be quickly inserted into holes or gaps.

Compression moulding

Compression moulding is a process for manufacturing moulded rubber parts in which a rubber compound is compressed under pressure and heat in a closed mould and vulcanised directly.

Freeze deburring

Freeze deburring is a process for removing burrs, particularly on rubber parts, by cooling and mechanical blasting.

Crosslinking chemicals

Cross-linking chemicals ensure the permanent elasticity and dimensional stability of rubber through chemical reaction - a key component in the production of functional rubber parts.

Tool cleaning

Tool cleaning ensures reliable, clean moulding, protects against burr formation and extends the service life of tools in series production.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is a corrosion and temperature-resistant material that is used for durable, hygienic and mechanically resilient components in demanding technical applications.

Burr formation

Burr formation occurs in primary forming processes due to material escaping from mould parting surfaces and joints during forming and requires targeted reworking to ensure component quality.

Fatigue

Fatigue refers to the progressive degradation of material due to repeated mechanical stress and is a key factor in the design of durable technical components.

Glass transition temperature

The glass transition temperature (Tg) is the temperature range in which a polymer changes from elastic to glassy and largely determines its low-temperature flexibility.

CFRP: Carbon fibre reinforced plastic

CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic) is an ultra-light, extremely strong composite material made of carbon fibres and a plastic matrix that is used in highly stressed lightweight construction applications.

Rebound resilience

Rebound resilience describes the ability of a material to return energy after rapid deformation - crucial for dynamic applications such as spring elements or dampers.

Aramid / Kevlar

Aramid / Kevlar is an extremely tensile, lightweight and heat-resistant fibre that is used as reinforcement in rubber composite parts, sealing systems and protective applications.

Special alloys

Speciality alloys are highly developed metal mixtures for extreme requirements in technology, medicine and industry - especially where corrosion, temperature or load limits of standard materials are exceeded.

NR: Natural rubber

Natural rubber (NR) is a highly elastic, tear-resistant elastomer made from renewable raw materials that is primarily used in dynamically stressed components such as tyres, dampers and conveyor belts.

Aluminium

Aluminium is a lightweight, corrosion-resistant material with high thermal conductivity that is used in a variety of ways as a construction material and support element in technical components.

Azo and urea compounds

Azo and urea compounds are speciality chemicals that are used as blowing or cross-linking agents in rubber processing - especially for foams and friction-active components.

Rubber-fabric composite parts

Rubber-fabric composite parts are elastic components with integrated fabric inserts that ensure high tensile strength, dimensional stability and dynamic load-bearing capacity - for example in membranes, seals or conveyor belts.

Shore hardness

The Shore hardness measures how deeply a test pin penetrates a material and thus provides information about its degree of hardness - a decisive factor in the selection of elastic and technical materials.

Rubber caps

Rubber caps reliably protect components from dust, moisture and mechanical impact.

CAD modelling

CAD modelling is the digital design of technical components and tools that serves as the basis for production, simulation and prototype development in industry.

NBR: Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber

Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) is an oil and fuel-resistant elastomer that is frequently used for seals, hoses and technical moulded parts in mechanical engineering and vehicle construction.

PU: Polyurethane elastomer

PU elastomers are dimensionally stable, abrasion-resistant plastics with high mechanical strength that are ideal for rollers, seals and shock absorbers in heavy-duty industrial applications.

Valve seal

A valve seal is an elastic component that reliably seals the flow of gases or liquids in a valve. The seal prevents leaks, compensates for pressure and temperature changes and ensures that the valve fulfils its switching, control or shut-off function reliably and permanently.

Vulcanisation

Vulcanisation is the process in which raw rubber is converted into a permanently elastic, dimensionally stable and durable rubber state through chemical cross-linking.

LABS (paint wetting impairment substances)

LABS are substances that interfere with the wetting of paints and must therefore be strictly avoided or tested in paint-critical applications.

Primer

Primers are adhesion-promoting primers that improve the adhesion between rubber, plastic or metal and ensure a permanent bond in composite and coating applications.

Sulphur crosslinking

Sulphur crosslinking is a proven vulcanisation process in which rubber is crosslinked with the aid of sulphur to form an elastic, dimensionally stable and mechanically resilient material.

Vibratory finishing (barrel finishing)

Mass finishing or barrel finishing is a mechanical mass finishing process in which surfaces are machined and burrs removed using abrasive media and movement.

EN 9100

EN 9100 explained: an overview of the requirements, areas of application and benefits of certification for the aviation, aerospace and defence industries.

Adhesion promoter

Adhesion promoters are chemical bonding agents that permanently bond rubber with other materials and thus form the basis for resilient rubber composite parts.

Transfer moulding

Transfer moulding is a rubber moulding process in which the material is pressed from a heated chamber into a closed mould where it is cross-linked under pressure and temperature - ideal for precise components with inserts.

Engine damper

Engine dampers are elastic elements that absorb vibrations and shocks between the engine and the vehicle or machine frame. They reduce vibrations, protect adjacent components from stress and improve the noise and running behaviour of the entire system.

Abrasion

Abrasion is the mechanically induced surface wear of a material caused by friction and has a decisive influence on the service life and usability of technical components.

Molded Rubber Parts

Moulded rubber parts are elastic components made from vulcanised rubber by pressing, transfer moulding or injection moulding. They are manufactured according to drawings and are used as sealing, damping or functional elements in technical applications.