Silicone rubber and EPDM are two ways to achieve results for various manufacturing processes and machinery. Their differences start at the beginning:
The differences start but don’t end there. Let’s dive deeper into why these two materials are used in different ways and what the pros and cons are for each.
Rubber parts have long been integral in machinery and equipment. Rubber pieces are standard in all kinds of production processes. This has been a valued material because it has so many uses and applications.
There are three common processes that can be used to create rubber products. These are:
Solids and sponges can be the results of these manufacturing processes.
Rubber parts include things like:
When paired with casters, clamps, hubs, and more, rubber can become a key player in precision equipment.
Injection molded parts made from rubber are an incredibly efficient and effective way to protect machinery and the people who operate machines.
EPDM is the “next-gen” material of EPR (ethylene-propylene rubber). This superior product has become standard in many industries, from construction to automotive. It has an outstanding ability to withstand ozone and UV, in addition to other environmental factors.
Rubber EPDM is produced continuously using polymerization or sulfur vulcanization. There are some innovative production options that use metallocene catalysts.
EPDM parts include things like:
Uses for EPDM include:
EPDM material (or an EPDM compound) is a versatile and useful item that has broad applications.
The key differences in use for natural rubber and EPDM lie in the respective strengths of each material. Here are how they stack up against each other in areas where either may be a viable option:
| Use/Feature |
Rubber |
EPDM |
| Temperature |
446°F or up to 518°F for special grades |
266°F |
| Susceptibility to Heat |
No shrinkage even at high temperatures |
Can begin to shrink at temperatures of 212°F |
| Flame resistance |
Extremely high |
Moderately high |
| Cold resistance |
Extremely high |
Moderately high |
| Oil resistance |
High resistance to oil |
Moderate resistance to oil (some swelling could occur after prolonged exposure) |
| Tear strength |
Moderately flexible |
Highly flexible (greater durability) |
| Environment |
Can crack when exposed to UV and ozone |
High durability when exposed to UV and ozone |
| Elongation |
Stretchy, elongation up to 800% for vacuum membranes |
Moderately stretchy, not as high of an elongation potential as rubber |
Natural rubber is used for almost anything you can imagine. It is a high-performance product that is both durable and stretchable, moldable, and versatile. Its many uses include:
EPDM is valuable in a variety of industries, because of its outstanding resistance to temperature and weather. There is an overlap in the use of natural rubber and EPDM. They have similar properties that make them useful in similar scenarios. EPDM is commonly used in:
Whether natural rubber or EPDM is the right choice for an intended application, both materials will be insufficient if there are errors in design or installation. These materials both require expert manufacturing. It’s vital that you find the best product if it’s going to perfectly perform its function.
Sometimes, out-of-the-box solutions are insufficient. RPM is the premier supplier of both standard and custom rubber parts. We provide complete oversight, from manufacturing to implementation, and work with clients to create innovative solutions. Our custom rubber parts have limitless applications. We can make stable and flexible rubber parts that extend the life of your machinery and can fit any size, function, shape, and color scheme you require.
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