EPDM is the default rubber for outdoor seals. It resists sunlight, ozone, rain and temperature swings, stays flexible down to about –40 °C and works up to about +120 °C in general-purpose grades. It comes solid (for lips, glazing and truck seals) or as closed-cell sponge (for soft, self-adhesive door and window strips). Its weak point is oil and fuel – EPDM swells in mineral oil, so it is not used where seals touch oil.
Typical properties
| Property | EPDM |
|---|---|
| Typical service temperature | about –40 °C to +120 °C |
| UV / ozone / weather | Excellent |
| Water and steam | Very good |
| Oils and fuels | Poor – swells |
| Hardness range | Solid about 50–80 Shore A; sponge is much softer |
| Relative cost | Low to medium |
Typical ranges for general-purpose compounds, for comparison only. The exact compound, hardness and section decide the real performance – tell us your conditions and we propose a material.
Good choice for
- Door and window weatherstrip (foam and solid)
- Automotive door and trunk seals
- Truck and container door lips
- Glazing wedges and curtain-wall gaskets
- Outdoor enclosures and solar panel gaskets
Avoid it for
- Contact with mineral oil, petrol or diesel
- Very high temperatures above about +130 °C (use silicone)