EPDM and silicone are two popular rubber materials. We use them in our houses, cars, and even factories. They have many uses, but sealing doors and windows is the most common. Besides, EPDM and silicone gaskets are widely used in machinery for better performance. Whether it’s keeping rain out of a car or sealing medical equipment, each has a specific role. But how do you know which is the better fit for your needs? This EPDM VS Silicone Rubber Guide can help you in your journey.
Seal strips and EPDM rubber extrusion profiles are the main products of EPDM and Silicone. These two rubbers are both trendy here but have distinct properties. Think about where you’ll be using these profiles. Will they be exposed to the elements or high temperatures? Do they need to be flexible or exceptionally tough? You should ask these questions; we’re here to help answer them.
This article closely examines EPDM and Silicone side by side. We’ll look at how well they handle temperatures and oil, the weather, and their cost. By the end, you’ll know how strong each rubber is. This way, you can pick the one that will work best for your job.
What is EPDM Rubber?
EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. People often know this rubber as EPDM, though. It is a synthetic rubber great for its incredible resilience. If you’re looking for a material that can withstand the test of time outdoors, EPDM is often a go-to choice. It is mainly made to endure even in the harshest conditions.
Anyways, EPDM rubber is composed primarily of ethylene and propylene. A small amount of diene monomer increases strength and flexibility during manufacturing. This combination typically makes EPDM durable and resistant outdoors. The critical properties of EPDM are:
(1) EPDM is highly flexible. It remains elastic and bendable even in colder temperatures.
(2) This rubber is highly resistant to UV and ozone. It doesn’t crack or weaken under sunlight.
(3) EPDM is one of the most water-resistant rubber, which is why it works great outdoors.
Generally, three types of EPDM rubber are solid, foam, and sponge. Solid EPDM rubber is dense and durable. It is ideal for use when it requires high wear resistance. On the other hand, Sponge EPDM is softer and more compressible. It is popular for creating seals. Foam EPDM is lightweight and can be easily shaped. As a result, people often use it for padding and insulation.
Where Will You Find EPDM?
EPDM is a trendy rubber material. You can find it in many uses near you. They are commonly used in automotive, construction, household items, electrics, etc. Check out the following table to learn more about its applications.
| Industry | Reason for Using EPDM | Examples |
| HVAC | High flexibility, excellent weather, and UV resistance | Seals for duct and insulation, EPDM sponge rubber tubing, Extruded EPDM rubber, EPDM rubber sheets |
| Electronics | Electrical insulation, chemically stable | Protective enclosures and cable insulation, EPDM self-adhesive rubber seal, Dense EPDM rubber tubing, EPDM sponge rubber extrusions with 3M tape |
| Automotive | Temperature, UV, and ozone resistance | Weather seals, door and window trim, Car door rubber seal, extruded EPDM door and window rubber seal strip, automotive EPDM solid rubber glazing gaskets |
| Construction | Durable, weatherproof, resistant to UV | Window and door seals, roofing membranes, extruded EPDM window seal, EPDM rubber seals, closed cell extruded seal, EPDM foam rubber seal |
| Machinery | Chemical resistance, flexibility in harsh conditions | Gaskets, hoses, and vibration-damping mounts, EPDM O-ring cord, solid square EPDM rubber cord, dense EPDM rubber tubing |
| Masking | Heat resistance, stable at high temperatures | High-temperature masking for painting or powder coating, EPDM E-shape rubber seal strip for cool room door, EPDM P-section rubber extrusion seal, T-shaped rubber seal strip for truck scale |
What is Silicone Rubber?
Silicone rubber is another popular rubber material. As the name implies, its main ingredient is silicon. During manufacturing, silicon rubber is made with oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen.
Silicone is especially famous for its durability and flexibility. It’s more flexible than other rubber, so it works better in hot and cold weather. This is why silicone rubber is great for withstanding high temperatures. Temp tolerance is important, but that’s not all.
(1) Silicone rubber is non-toxic and hypoallergenic, which means it can be used in contact with skin or food. However, you must be careful when choosing the appropriate food-grade quality.
(2) Silicone rubber is also resistant to water, UV rays, and ozone. As a result, silicone rubber products won’t break down or lose color over time, even outdoors.
(3) Silicone rubber is generally odorless, tasteless, and highly stable.
Silicone rubber comes in three main forms: solid, flexible, and liquid. Solid silicone is dense and durable. It can be used in situations where strength and longevity are important. Sponge silicone is softer and more compressible. It can be used to seal things and cushion them. Finally, liquid silicone is utilized in injection molding to produce rubber items.
Where will you find silicone?
Since silicone offers improved properties, it is used in various applications. The following table outlines the widespread applications of silicone rubber.
| Industry | Reasons for Using Silicone | Examples |
| Medical Devices | Biocompatible, non-toxic, withstands sterilization | Platinum-cured silicone tubing, silicone sheets, silicone rubber strip |
| Food Processing | Safe for food contact, temperature-resistant, easy to clean | Platinum-cured silicone rubber cord, silicone sheets |
| HVAC | High-temperature resistance, durable for sealing and insulation | Silicone foam tube, silicone rubber strip |
| Electronics | Electrical insulation, heat resistance, UV stability | Silicone rubber strips, silicone sponge sheet |
| Industrial Sealing | Resilient under pressure, long-lasting, resistant to oils and chemicals | Silicone sponge sheets, silicone rubber sheets |
| Aerospace | Extreme temperature tolerance, ozone, and UV resistance | Silicone sponge extrusion, silicone foam tube |
| Masking | High-temperature tolerance, reusable, resistant to chemicals | Silicone sponge sheet, silicone rubber strip |
| Automotive seals | Weatherproof, UV and ozone resistant, durable for door/window seals | Silicone rubber strip, silicone sheets |
| LED Lighting | Water and dust resistance protects against environmental exposure | Silicone foam tube, silicone sponge extrusion |
EPDM VS Silicone Rubber: A Technical Comparison
You have reviewed the details about the two popular rubbers: EPDM and Silicone. Each material has its characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. This section will enlist which rubbers may be better suited for your project.
Temperature Resistance: EPDM VS Silicone Rubber
Both EPDM and silicone rubber are temperature-resistant. The number shows that EPDM has a temperature range of -50C to 150C. On the other hand, silicone has a temperature resistance from -60C to 230C. Silicone rubber has a higher temperature resistance when applied than other rubbers.
In different industries, heat or color are common occurrences. In such situations, temperature resistance becomes a must. Silicone rubber proves excellent thermal stability. It is best suited for the food, medical, and automotive industries. Silicone is applied for engine compartments, food processing seals, and the production of medical application products.
EPDM is also heat-tolerant and works great outdoors. It is used for doors and windows, flooring and roofing, and electrical insulation.
Oil Resistance: Can They Stand Up to Chemicals?
Oil resistance is another factor when discussing EPDM vs. silicone Rubber. If you’re in the industrial sector, chances are your application will come into contact with oils or hydrocarbons. Here’s where the differences between EPDM and Silicone become an issue. EPDM rubber has reasonably low resistance to oil, grease, and similar substances such as hydrocarbons.
Whereas silicone is inert to oil. The level of resistivity mainly depends on its formulation. Standard silicone may not perfectly resist oils, but unique grades of silicone can.
So, when is EPDM the better choice? If your application requires water, acids, or alkalis, you need to know that EPDM may perform even better.
EPDM VS Silicone Rubber: Tear Strength
How durable are they? Durability becomes an issue, especially when sealing things. In sealing, you will often need extrusion profiles. However, EPDM offers greater tear strength than silicone, which people use in many applications.
Silicone, though generally less resistant, compresses in other areas. In high-heat applications, it offers excellent services. Also, in indoor sealing, silicone rubber extrusion profiles are widely used.
EPDM VS Silicone Rubber: Flexibility in Motion
Elongation is the rubber’s capacity to become more rigid or extend, providing resistive force before failure. It is usually required for applications with mechanical parts. EPDM rubber, which is more flexible than silicone Rubber, offers excellent services.
Silicone rubber exhibits good elongation, though the amount of elongation depends on temperature. Although less flexible than EPDM at lower temperatures, it remains stable over a wide temperature range. Therefore, if your application field includes issues like temperature and impact, you can select silicone rubber rather than EPDM.
EPDM VS Silicone Rubber: Which Longer Outdoors?
Perhaps the most valuable feature of EPDM is its relatively high level of wear and ultraviolet protection. It can also withstand light effects, such as sunlight, ozone, and moisture, even when exposed for long periods. Its typical uses mainly include outdoor applications. You can use it to seal your windows, roofing, and any environment with UV exposure.
Moreover, silicone has comparatively lower resistance than EPDM when exposed to direct sunlight for a long time. However, silicone rubber extrusion is ideal for indoor sealing.
EPDM VS Silicone: Budget Matters
EPDM rubber costs are, in general, lower than those of silicone. If you are working on a large project and need bulk quantities, considering the price is a concern. If your project doesn’t require extreme temperature or oil resistance, EPDM can save you a lot of cost. It is cheap, resistant to weather conditions, and much more flexible than the cement option.
Silicone is worth purchasing if your project involves critical conditions. Medical, food processing, or specialized manufacturing industries often require silicone rubber extrusion products.
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