EPDM rubber
EPDM is the outdoor workhorse. It resists ozone, UV, weather, steam and hot water, which makes it the usual choice for enclosure seals, weather profiles and grommets on electrical, solar and HVAC equipment. Exonel moulds and extrudes it to drawing.
Indicative ranges. The exact grade and hardness are matched to your application.
Six base polymers, compared.
Temperature range, hardness and resistance for typical commercial compounds of each polymer. Ratings run from A (excellent) to X (not suitable).
| Material | Temp range (°C) | Hardness (Shore A) | Oil | Fuel | Acid | Base | Water / steam | Ozone / weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone (VMQ) | −60 to +225 | 20 to 90 | C | D | C | C | B | A |
| EPDM | −45 to +150 | 30 to 90 | X | X | A | A | A | A |
| FKM (Viton-type) | −20 to +200 | 50 to 95 | A | A | A | C | C | A |
| NBR | −40 to +120 | 20 to 100 | A | B | C | B | B | D |
| Neoprene (CR) | −40 to +120 | 15 to 95 | B | C | C | B | B | B |
| SBR | −50 to +100 | 30 to 100 | X | X | C | B | B | D |
Key: A Excellent · B Good · C Fair · D Poor · X Not suitable
Figures are the typical range across commercial compounds. Special grades extend several of these limits: silicone to −117°C and +260°C, FKM to −40°C, NBR to −57°C. Figures are indicative and are confirmed for your application before tooling.
Sources: o-ring.info, Basic properties of elastomers; Mykin Inc, Rubber properties; Delta Rubber, Rubber material comparison guide; GMORS, VMQ silicone (silicone temperature range).
Built for the outdoors.
Weather and ozone
Stays flexible for years under sun, ozone and rain.
Steam and hot water
Handles steam and hot-water sealing where many rubbers fail.
Electrical insulation
Good dielectric properties for outdoor electrical sealing.
Cost
Long outdoor life at moderate cost.
Extruded and moulded.
Extruded
Weather profiles, channels, cords and sponge.
Moulded
Gaskets, seals and grommets to drawing.
Where it fits.
Renewable and solar
Junction-box and enclosure seals.
Electrical and switchgear
Outdoor enclosure gaskets and cable grommets.
HVAC
Steam, condensate and weather seals.
Automotive
Coolant, weather and body seals.
Where we would point you elsewhere.
Oils and fuels
EPDM swells in mineral oil and fuel. For oil contact use NBR or FKM.
Common questions
Is EPDM good for outdoor use?
Can EPDM handle steam and hot water?
Is EPDM resistant to oil?
Need an EPDM part?
Send your RFQ
Tell us what you need. Fields marked * are required. Everything else helps us recommend the compound.
Exonel Industries makes custom moulded and extruded rubber components in Howrah, Kolkata, West Bengal, and supplies manufacturers across India. We work in six base polymers, Silicone, EPDM, FKM, NBR, Neoprene and SBR, formulated into hundreds of compounds. Compounding, tooling and production are done in-house. Send a drawing, a sample or a specification for a quote.
