EPDM is a copolymer of ethylene, propylene, and a small amount of non-conjugated diene. Scientists represent it as EPDM, a type of ethylene propylene rubber. Stable saturated hydrocarbons make up its main chain. The side chains have only unsaturated double bonds. So, it has excellent aging, heat, and weather resistance. Manufacturers can use it in automotive parts, waterproof building materials, and wire and cable sheaths. It is also used for heat-resistant rubber hoses, belts, and automotive seals.
Advantages:
- It has high cost performance. With a density of 0.86 to 0.90 g/cm³, it is the lightest commonly used rubber. You can fill it in large quantities to reduce the costs of rubber compounds.
- It has excellent aging resistance to weathering, ozone, sunlight, heat, water, steam, UV rays, and radiation. EPDM can act as a high-molecular-weight antioxidant or anti-aging agent. This is true when you combine it with other unsaturated diene rubbers, such as NR, SBR, BR, NBR, and CR.
- It has excellent chemical resistance. This includes acids, alkalis, and detergents. EPDM rubber sheet also resists animal and vegetable oils, alcohols, and ketones. It also resists water, hot water, steam, and polar oils.
- It has excellent insulation. Its volume resistivity is 10^16 Ω·cm. EPDM rubber sheet’s breakdown voltage is 30 to 40 MV/m. Its dielectric constant (1 kHz, 20 °C) is 2.27.
- It works in a wide temperature range. The least operating temperature ranges from -40 to -60 °C. Users can operate it for long periods at 130 °C.
