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EPDM Foam CC-LD

Grade

CC-LD = closed-cell, low density / soft

Pick when closure force must stay very low, as on thin-wall plastic parts, luminaires and electronics housings; tensile strength is only 0.3 MPa and load capacity is minimal.

Premium cost $$$

Values for the CC-LD condition

Other EPDM Foam grades and fills

EPDM Foam is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at EPDM Foam.

Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
CC-LDThis page
Closed-cell, low density / soft
Pick when closure force must stay very low, as on thin-wall plastic parts, luminaires and electronics housings; tensile strength is only 0.3 MPa and load capacity is minimal.—0.31807 Shore A
Open-cell EPDM sponge
Choose the open-cell sponge when breathability, sound absorption, liquid uptake or near-zero closure force is required; it cannot be used for watertight sealing.—0.352008 Shore A
Flame-retardant grade
Pick for rail, automotive and electrical-cabinet sealing that must meet UL94 HF-1, FMVSS 302 or EN 45545 flame and low-smoke-toxicity rules; density rises to 0.13 g/cm³.—0.513018 Shore A
CC-MDDefault
Closed-cell, medium density
Choose as the default water- and dust-tight gasket at ~0.10 g/cm³ closed cell; it absorbs no water and balances moderate compression with cost and performance.—0.5516012 Shore A
Carbon-loaded conductive / EMI-shielding foam
Pick the carbon-loaded foam when a cabinet door gap needs environmental sealing and EMI shielding together, or static build-up must be drained; 0.2 g/cm³ increases closure force.—0.610030 Shore A
improved oil resistance
Choose the blended sponge for seals that need some weathering resistance while contacting lubricating oil or fuel mist, such as engine-bay and fuel-pump covers; limit service to 100 °C.—0.713020 Shore A
Closed-cell, high density / firm
Use for load-bearing gaskets, curtain-wall bearing pads and flange-bolted joints needing high resistance to compression set; the 0.22 g/cm³ density raises required closure force.—114025 Shore A

What is EPDM Foam CC-LD?

EPDM Foam CC-LD is EPDM Foam in the CC-LD grade — pick when closure force must stay very low, as on thin-wall plastic parts, luminaires and electronics housings; tensile strength is only 0.3 MPa and load capacity is minimal. EPDM Foam CC-LD has a tensile strength of 0.3 MPa (0.0435 ksi), weaker than 94% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 180% and the elastic modulus is 5×10⁻⁴ GPa (7.25×10⁻⁵ Msi). EPDM Foam CC-LD has a density of 0.06 g/cm³ (0.002 lb/in³), lighter than 88% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -52°C (-62 °F). CC-MD is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CC-LD is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 99% of polymer grades
  • Good UV / weathering resistance — 92/100, better than 93% of polymer grades
  • Lightweight — 0.06 g/cm³ (0.002 lb/in³), better than 88% of polymer grades
  • Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 84% of polymer grades

Limitations

  • Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 3%, worse than 99% of polymer grades
  • Low stiffness — 5×10⁻⁴ GPa (7.25×10⁻⁵ Msi), worse than 98% of polymer grades
  • Poor heat conductor — 0.03 W/m·K (0.0196 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 94% of polymer grades

EPDM Foam CC-LD properties

Typical room-temperature values for EPDM Foam CC-LD; 17 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EPDM Foam reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.

Physical3

EPDM Foam CC-LD has a density of 0.06 g/cm³ (0.002 lb/in³), lighter than 88% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -52°C (-62 °F).

Density0.06 g/cm³0 lb/in³
Glass Transition (Tg)-52°C-62 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)3%

Mechanical9

EPDM Foam CC-LD has a tensile strength of 0.3 MPa (0.0435 ksi), weaker than 94% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 180% and the elastic modulus is 5×10⁻⁴ GPa (7.25×10⁻⁵ Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus5×10⁻⁴ GPa7.25×10⁻⁵ Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.15
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)0.3 MPa0.04 ksi
Elongation at Break180%
Compressive Strength0.02 MPa0 ksi
Shear Strength0.14 MPa0.02 ksi
Hardness, Shore A7 Shore A
Tear Strength1 kN/m5.7 lbf/in
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)12%

Thermal8

EPDM Foam CC-LD is rated for continuous service to 115°C (239 °F). It conducts heat at 0.03 W/m·K (0.0196 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 94% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 200 µm/m·K (111.1 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.03 W/m·K0.02 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,900 J/kg·K0.45 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)200 µm/m·K111 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)115°C239 °F
Min Service Temperature-50°C-58 °F
Flammability (UL 94)—
Limiting Oxygen Index20%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)150°C302 °F

Electrical4

EPDM Foam CC-LD is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 3 kV/mm (76.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength3 kV/mm76.2 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)1.6
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is excellent (88/100), better than 74% of polymer grades. UV resistance is excellent.

Corrosion ResistanceExcellent88/100
UV / Weathering ResistanceExcellent92/100
Chemical Resistance Summary—

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of EPDM Foam CC-LD takes about 100 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 61% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)100 MJ/kg42,992 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water150 L/kg18 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content5%

Manufacturability3

EPDM Foam CC-LD's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 84% of polymer grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability excellent (95/100).

MachinabilityVery good80/100
WeldabilityPoor20/100
Formability (cold)Excellent95/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with EPDM Foam CC-LD

Is EPDM Foam easy to machine?

Steel-rule die cutting, waterjet, band saw and hot-wire or CNC oscillating knife are the usual methods. Cutting heat tears and fuzzes the surface, so use sharp edges at low speed with dust extraction.

Can EPDM Foam be welded?

The crosslinked thermoset elastomer cannot be heat welded. Make joints by mitring at 45 degrees and bonding with cyanoacrylate or neoprene adhesive, or by hot-vulcanized splicing in place.

Can EPDM Foam be formed, bent or molded?

Standard route is compounding followed by continuous microwave or hot-air vulcanization of extruded profile, or press foaming into blocks that are then skived. Tooling must allow 15-40 % foam expansion plus cure shrinkage.

What surface finishes work on EPDM Foam?

Surfaces can be flocked or coated to reduce friction, or backed with acrylic PSA or PE film. EPDM has low surface polarity, so corona, flame or primer treatment is needed before bonding.

EPDM Foam chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
ethylene (E)ethylene content sets crystallinity and low-temperature behavior45 – 7055
propylene (P)25 – 5040
ENB / DCPD dienethird monomer; provides cure sites for sulfur vulcanization2 – 105
carbon black /on total compound weight (reinforcement, opacity, UV resistance)10 – 4525
paraffinic process oilplasticizer; lowers closing force5 – 4020
CaCO3 / talc0 – 258
chemical blowing agent (ADC/OBSH)blowing agent; sets density and cell structure1 – 83
cure system (S / peroxide, ZnO, stearic 3 – 85

EPDM Foam CC-LD — frequently asked

What is EPDM Foam CC-LD used for?

EPDM Foam CC-LD is typically used for weatherstripping and door/window seals, outdoor gaskets, solar panel edge seals, HVAC insulation gaskets and automotive weather seals. In short: best weathering foam; 120 C service temperature; vulcanized, not thermoplastic.

What is the tensile strength of EPDM Foam CC-LD?

EPDM Foam CC-LD has a typical tensile strength of 0.3 MPa (0.0435 ksi) — weaker than 94% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is EPDM Foam CC-LD easy to machine?

Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 84% of polymer grades). Steel-rule die cutting, waterjet, band saw and hot-wire or CNC oscillating knife are the usual methods. Cutting heat tears and fuzzes the surface, so use sharp edges at low speed with dust extraction.

Can EPDM Foam CC-LD be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). The crosslinked thermoset elastomer cannot be heat welded. Make joints by mitring at 45 degrees and bonding with cyanoacrylate or neoprene adhesive, or by hot-vulcanized splicing in place.

What surface finishes work on EPDM Foam CC-LD?

Surfaces can be flocked or coated to reduce friction, or backed with acrylic PSA or PE film. EPDM has low surface polarity, so corona, flame or primer treatment is needed before bonding.

Can EPDM Foam CC-LD be formed, bent or molded?

Standard route is compounding followed by continuous microwave or hot-air vulcanization of extruded profile, or press foaming into blocks that are then skived. Tooling must allow 15-40 % foam expansion plus cure shrinkage.

What is the maximum service temperature of EPDM Foam CC-LD?

EPDM Foam CC-LD is rated for continuous use to about 115°C (239 °F), and briefly to 150°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. ASTM D1056 — Flexible Cellular Materials, Sponge or Expanded Rubber — ASTM International (2020)
  2. ASTM D3575 — Flexible Cellular Materials Made from Olefin Polymers — ASTM International (2020)
  3. ASTM D1418 — Rubber and Rubber Lattices, Nomenclature (EPDM) — ASTM International (2022)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.21 / Engineered Materials Handbook — Elastomers — ASM International (2001)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.