The advantages and disadvantages of EPDM sheeting
Synthetic rubber EPDM offers exceptional all-round performance and excellent weathering resistance, thanks to its very inert chemical properties. In this article, Martin's Rubber gives us an insight into the advantages and disadvantages of EPDM sheeting.
EPDM rubber (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer [M-class]) is an elastomer characterised by a wide range of applications. The 'M' refers to its classification in ASTM standard D-1418 and the 'M-class' includes rubbers having a saturated chain of the polymethylene type.
Applications suitable for EPDM
EPDM rubber is used in seals, o-rings, glass-run channels, radiators, garden and appliance hose, tubing, pond liners, washers, belts, electrical insulation, solar panel heat collectors, and speaker cone surrounds. It is also used as a medium for water resistance in electrical cable-jointing, roofing membranes, geomembranes, rubber mechanical goods, plastic impact modification, thermoplastic, vulcanizates, and many other applications
Advantages to using EPDM
EPDM sheeting has excellent water resistance, both fresh and salt, as well as being very good with ozone, UV and oxidation. The temperature and weathering properties of EPDM rubber sheeting are also outstanding.
These factors make EPDM ideal for use in water and it is often the material of choice for potable water applications. There are WRAS approved materials available for use in specific applications but, in more general terms, EPDM is a good all-round commercial material. It is widely used as a lower cost polymer, with good processing abilities.
Disadvantages to using EPDM
EPDM exhibits unsatisfactory compatibility with most oils, gasoline, kerosene, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, halogenated solvents, and concentrated acids. The very inert nature of the material also means it is difficult to adhere to, and this can be a limitation.
Martin’s Rubber stocks a wide range of EPDM sheeting
Martin's Rubber stocks EPDM sheets in 1.5mm, 2mm and 3mm thick sheets in a commercial grade, or in 1.5mm and 3mm thick in the WRAS approved option. They are all 70 degree hardness and come in sheets 1.4m wide, although we can cut them into lengths or strips, or gaskets for you.
Download Martin’s Rubber’s free Rubber Sheet Guide PDF to find out the full range of grades, thicknesses and hardnesses of sheet available. Or contact Martin’s Rubber today on 023 8022 6330, or email [email protected], for more details about their entire range of EPDM products.
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