EPDM Foam EPDM-NBR
Grade
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.
Values for the EPDM-NBR 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 datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | — | 0.3 | 180 | 7 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. | — | 0.35 | 200 | 8 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. | — | 0.5 | 130 | 18 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. | — | 0.55 | 160 | 12 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. | — | 0.6 | 100 | 30 Shore A |
EPDM-NBRThis page 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. | — | 0.7 | 130 | 20 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. | — | 1 | 140 | 25 Shore A |
What is EPDM Foam EPDM-NBR?
EPDM Foam EPDM-NBR is EPDM Foam in the EPDM-NBR grade — 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. EPDM Foam EPDM-NBR has a tensile strength of 0.7 MPa (0.102 ksi), weaker than 86% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 130% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (3.19×10⁻⁴ Msi). EPDM Foam EPDM-NBR has a density of 0.14 g/cm³ (0.0051 lb/in³), lighter than 86% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -52°C (-62 °F). CC-MD is the default condition FabDigit quotes; EPDM-NBR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 88% of polymer grades
- Lightweight — 0.14 g/cm³ (0.0051 lb/in³), better than 86% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 70/100, better than 83% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 81% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 3%, worse than 99% of polymer grades
- Low stiffness — 0 GPa (3.19×10⁻⁴ Msi), worse than 94% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.04 W/m·K (0.0248 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 85% of polymer grades
EPDM Foam EPDM-NBR properties
Typical room-temperature values for EPDM Foam EPDM-NBR; 19 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 EPDM-NBR has a density of 0.14 g/cm³ (0.0051 lb/in³), lighter than 86% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -52°C (-62 °F).
Mechanical9
EPDM Foam EPDM-NBR has a tensile strength of 0.7 MPa (0.102 ksi), weaker than 86% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 130% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (3.19×10⁻⁴ Msi).
Thermal8
EPDM Foam EPDM-NBR is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 0.04 W/m·K (0.0248 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 85% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 200 µm/m·K (111.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical4
EPDM Foam EPDM-NBR is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 3 kV/mm (76.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹¹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 56% of polymer grades. UV resistance is very good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EPDM Foam EPDM-NBR takes about 100 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 61% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability3
EPDM Foam EPDM-NBR's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 88% of polymer grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with EPDM Foam EPDM-NBR
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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| ethylene (E)ethylene content sets crystallinity and low-temperature behavior | 45 – 70 | 55 |
| propylene (P) | 25 – 50 | 40 |
| ENB / DCPD dienethird monomer; provides cure sites for sulfur vulcanization | 2 – 10 | 5 |
| carbon black /on total compound weight (reinforcement, opacity, UV resistance) | 10 – 45 | 25 |
| paraffinic process oilplasticizer; lowers closing force | 5 – 40 | 20 |
| CaCO3 / talc | 0 – 25 | 8 |
| chemical blowing agent (ADC/OBSH)blowing agent; sets density and cell structure | 1 – 8 | 3 |
| cure system (S / peroxide, ZnO, stearic | 3 – 8 | 5 |
EPDM Foam EPDM-NBR — frequently asked
What is EPDM Foam EPDM-NBR used for?
EPDM Foam EPDM-NBR 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 EPDM-NBR?
EPDM Foam EPDM-NBR has a typical tensile strength of 0.7 MPa (0.102 ksi) — weaker than 86% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is EPDM Foam EPDM-NBR easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 88% 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 EPDM-NBR 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 EPDM-NBR?
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 EPDM-NBR 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 EPDM-NBR?
EPDM Foam EPDM-NBR is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F), and briefly to 150°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM D1056 — Flexible Cellular Materials, Sponge or Expanded Rubber — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM D3575 — Flexible Cellular Materials Made from Olefin Polymers — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM D1418 — Rubber and Rubber Lattices, Nomenclature (EPDM) — ASTM International (2022)
- 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.