EPDM rubber die-cut gaskets and seals are high-quality parts with excellent resistance to steam, heat aging, ozone, acids, and alkalis.
EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber offers excellent resistance to heat, weathering, and steam. This smooth elastomer has excellent electrical insulating properties and is resistant to heat, weather and steam.
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Solid EPDM Rubber Grades & Converting Specifications
CGR Products precision converts, slits, laminates, and die-cuts solid ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) sheet and roll goods. Renowned as the industry benchmark for outdoor environmental stability, solid EPDM delivers near-total immunity to ozone cracking, ultraviolet radiation, saturated steam, hot water, and extreme weather cycles. Review the comparative grade matrix below to select the optimal durometer, cure chemistry, and agency specification for your application.
| EPDM Grade | Mechanical & Environmental Profile | Durometer & Standards |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Grade EPDM | Cost-effective general industrial solid sheet compounded with sulfur accelerators. Demonstrates outstanding resistance to sunlight, ozone cracking, air, cold/hot water, and dilute acids. Ideal for exterior weatherstripping, low-pressure plumbing gaskets, and utility flange seals across -40°F to 220°F (-40°C to 104°C). | 40 to 80 Shore A · ASTM D2000 BA/CA · Smooth Finish · Black |
| Peroxide-Cured Premium EPDM | High-performance cross-linked polymer cured with organic peroxides instead of sulfur. Provides elevated thermal endurance up to 300°F (149°C), outstanding resistance to compression set over years of continuous clamping, and superior steam and glycol coolant aging. | 50 to 80 Shore A · High-Heat / Low Compression Set · Black |
| NSF-61 Potable Water EPDM | Specifically formulated and certified under NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 for commercial and municipal drinking water distribution components. Prevents chemical leaching, imparts zero odor or taste, and resists chloramines and chlorine treatment chemicals found in municipal supply lines. | 60 to 70 Shore A · NSF-61 Certified · Municipal Water · Black |
| FDA Food-Grade White EPDM | Manufactured with non-toxic, non-marking ingredients for direct and indirect contact in food, dairy, and beverage processing equipment. Formulated for continuous hot water washdowns, dilute sanitizing acids, and alkaline clean-in-place (CIP) chemicals. | 50 to 70 Shore A · FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 · Non-Marking · White |
| High-Temperature Steam EPDM | Engineered for severe process boiler and piping applications involving continuous saturated steam up to 350°F (177°C) and hot water. Resists polymer hardening and embrittlement where standard organic elastomers degrade rapidly. | 70 to 80 Shore A · Saturated Steam Service · Black |
| Cloth-Inserted (CI) EPDM | Solid EPDM sheet reinforced with internal plies of woven polyester or nylon fabric. Combines EPDM weather/water resistance with extreme dimensional stability, preventing cold flow, creep, and bolt-hole extrusion under high flange torque. | 60 to 75 Shore A · High Flange Bolt Load · Smooth / Fabric Finish |
Frequently Asked Questions: Solid EPDM Gaskets & Fabrication
Why is EPDM the premier elastomer for outdoor weather, ozone, and municipal water sealing?
EPDM possesses a fully saturated polymer backbone, meaning its chemical structure contains no vulnerable carbon-carbon double bonds in the primary chain. This provides near-complete immunity to atmospheric ozone attack, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, oxidation, and severe thermal weathering over decades of outdoor exposure. In municipal water systems, it resists chloramines and oxidation, making it the preferred non-leaching elastomer under NSF-61 standards.
What is the functional difference between sulfur-cured and peroxide-cured EPDM?
The vulcanization cure chemistry fundamentally impacts temperature threshold and long-term elasticity:
- Sulfur-Cured EPDM: Standard commercial grade. Highly cost-effective and provides good tensile and tear strength, but thermal stability is typically limited to 220°F (104°C) and compression set increases over prolonged clamping.
- Peroxide-Cured EPDM: Cured using organic peroxides to create stronger carbon-carbon polymer crosslinks. It raises continuous heat resistance to 300°F (149°C), dramatically reduces compression set (permanent deformation), and delivers superior aging in saturated steam, glycol radiator coolants, and brake fluids.
Can EPDM sheet rubber be used with petroleum oils, fuels, or solvents?
No. Solid EPDM rubber is strictly incompatible with petroleum hydrocarbons, including diesel fuel, gasoline, motor oils, mineral greases, and aromatic solvents. Exposure causes rapid polymer swelling, loss of tensile strength, and catastrophic joint blowout. For petroleum fluids, Nitrile (Buna-N) or Fluorocarbon (Viton® / FKM) must be specified.
How does solid EPDM perform in automotive cooling and HVAC glycol systems?
Solid EPDM provides unmatched chemical resistance to polar fluids, including ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, automotive engine coolants, phosphate ester hydraulic fluids (Skydrol), and DOT 3/4 brake fluids. It operates continuously without swelling or softening, making it the primary OEM choice for radiator cap gaskets, thermostat housing seals, water pump flanges, and HVAC chiller connections.
Can CGR Products laminate pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA) to solid EPDM?
Yes. Although solid EPDM has a low surface energy (LSE) profile that resists standard tapes, CGR Products uses wide-web rotary hot-roll lamination to apply aggressive, high-shear modified acrylic adhesives and synthetic rubber transfer tapes. We convert rolls with extended finger-lift release liners, pull tabs, or continuous kiss-cut backings for automated robotic placement or fast manual assembly.
EPDM Gasket Engineering & High-Volume OEM Converting
CGR Products partners directly with Tier-1 automotive, appliance, electrical enclosure, and heavy equipment OEMs to fabricate precision solid EPDM gaskets. From ASTM D2000 line callout verification (BA, CA classes) and NSF-61 drinking water compliance to high-speed Delta ModTech rotary die cutting, large-bed CNC waterjet slicing, and custom adhesive laminating, our multi-facility infrastructure delivers consistent quality at production scale.