One of the synthetic
rubbers used in various applications is EPDM. EPDM is abbreviated as Ethylene Propylene
Diene Monomer. It has its major use in the field of automotive and construction
sectors where it is used for manufacturing seals. It has its property of
resisting various environmental issues such as Ozone, ultra-violet rays, and
other weather conditions. Though it provides various applications in window and
door sealing, waterproofing sheets, the rubber has some limitations in its
property of resisting various temperature conditions when compared to
elastomers silicone rubber. But still,EPDM is much special about its
distinctive attributes and applications. So, one has to be careful while
choosing the one amongst these two rubber types, as they differ in their
properties and uses.
When you consider the
rubber sheets made from EPDM, it has good resistance and can able to tolerate
the chemicals such as acids and alkalis. EPDM rubber sheets are much strong and
can able to withstand high temperatures. So, EPDM Profile manufacturers test the rubber sheets for checking
their strength and impact resistance by exposing it to harmful UV radiations
and toughest weather conditions. The result they find is that rubber sheets
resisting and standing against all such conditions effectively.
Properties
of EPDM:
The reason that EPDM
withstands high temperature is due to its high density. Such a density of EPDM
provides various applications by withstanding the highest temperature of 215c.
Due to its versatile nature, EPDM is an important monomer in the automotive and
other industries. In the automotive industry, EPDM is used for seals, O-Rings
and Grommets, etc.
Here are some crucial
properties of EPDM:
- Provides a strong resistance to acid and
alkali
- Has its maximum withstanding the temperature
of 215c
- Manufacturing cost is high
- Resist different weather conditions
When you take a normal
EPDM rubber roof, they will be a change in dimensions and structure due to
temperature changes according to the weather conditions. But when you take an EPDM
liquid rubber, you will find such a problem. Such material is highly elastic
and thus expandable up to 3 times its normal size which is needed in the
construction field. Due to its tensile strength, the EPDM will not break and
crack from extreme dryness and moisture. A building having EPDM roofs are much
helpful, as they allow the excess heat and vapors to penetrate out of the
building by not allowing the vapors and heat to stay inside the building.
EPDM
Advantages:
Ethylene propylene
diene monomer is such a synthetic rubber that will tolerate different external
conditions such as sunlight, ozone gas, oxygen, acids and alkali, and water,
etc. It is an odorless material that can maintain its color over time. As
already said, EPDM withstand high temperatures, the minimum and maximum
temperature withstanding range is from -70° C to 250° C. But never assume that
all EPDM is the same, as the percentage of ethylene and diene variation will
affect its physical properties.
As already discussed,
EPDM is well-known for its good tensile strength and elasticity properties.
Tensile strength is measured in terms of pounds per square inch (PSI). So the
EPDM values usually range in 1000 PSI.
EPDM
Applications:
EPDM serves as the best
option for the door and window seals due to its physical properties. EPDM
rubbers are used to manufacture gaskets and thus they tolerate and withstand
various external pressures. In the case of vehicles, EPDM is used for hood
seals.
EPDM is used to
manufacture certified-transit grade (CTG) seals for bus, subway and rail
manufacturers. In the area such as refrigerator, freezer gaskets, dust boots or
rubber pipe sleeves, where it involves the contact between hot and cold water
or steam, EPDM serves as the best option to use. Thus, due to its elasticity
property, EPDM is one such good choice for manufacturing HVAC gaskets.
Benefits
of EPDM Rubber in Roofing:
·
The average lifespan of the EPDM is a minimum
of 50 years and thus used in roofing due to its longer lifetime
·
EPDM roofs resist highly UV and IR
lights
· EPDM roofs withstand the worst atmospheric
conditions and chemicals and pollutions
· · EPDM roofs serve as the best option
against cold, heat and ozone conditions
· · EPDM is much safer in case of fire, as
it doesn’t eject harmful chemicals upon firing
· · EPDM has high elasticity that doesn’t
change its dimension in the service temperature range of -70° C to 120° C.
· ·
Due to its thermal recycling properties,
EPDM serves as an eco-friendly option.
Why
choosing the right material is important?
Yes, it is very
important to choose the right material for the right application otherwise, it
will lead to failure. This is mainly due to human errors that they will not
stay conscious about choosing the right material. This applies in also choosing
the right rubber to avoid any sealing failures. Hence, choosing the right
rubber according to your application plays a vital role.
