EPDM · grade · default condition
EPDM Solid
Properties of the Solid condition, compared with the other EPDM grades.
Default dense rubber for O-rings, gaskets, weatherstrip and hose where a pressure-tight, load-bearing seal is needed.
What is EPDM Solid?
EPDM Solid is EPDM in the Solid grade — default dense rubber for O-rings, gaskets, weatherstrip and hose where a pressure-tight, load-bearing seal is needed. EPDM Solid has a tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi), weaker than 76% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 400% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (8.7×10⁻⁴ Msi). EPDM Solid has a density of 1.15 g/cm³ (0.0415 lb/in³), lighter than 57% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -55°C (-67 °F).
Advantages
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 95/100, better than 95% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 92% of polymer grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 400%, better than 86% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 82% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 20/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades
- High mold shrinkage — 2.5%, worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 30/100, worse than 88% of polymer grades
- Low stiffness — 0.01 GPa (8.7×10⁻⁴ Msi), worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 81% of polymer grades
EPDM Solid properties
Typical room-temperature values for EPDM Solid — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every EPDM grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
EPDM Solid has a density of 1.15 g/cm³ (0.0415 lb/in³), lighter than 57% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -55°C (-67 °F).
Mechanical9
EPDM Solid has a tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi), weaker than 76% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 400% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (8.7×10⁻⁴ Msi).
Thermal8
EPDM Solid is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 82% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 180 µm/m·K (100 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
EPDM Solid is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 63% of polymer grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EPDM Solid takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — less than 70% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability7
EPDM Solid's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 88% of polymer grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other EPDM grades and fills
EPDM is also supplied in 12 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the EPDM overview.
- SolidDefaultDefault dense rubber for O-rings, gaskets, weatherstrip and hose where a pressure-tight, load-bearing seal is needed.12 MPa tensile
- SpongePick for low-closure-force dust, water and acoustic sealing (cabinet gaskets, door seals) where compression load must stay low.2 MPa tensile
Working with EPDM Solid
Is EPDM easy to machine?
Best die-cut, waterjet or knife/CNC-blade cut with soap lubricant; milling and drilling smear and tear unless the part is frozen or a sharp hollow punch is used.
Can EPDM be welded?
Not thermally weldable — join by hot vulcanized splice, uncured tape splice, or cyanoacrylate/CR contact adhesive after abrasion plus primer.
Can EPDM be formed, bent or molded?
Mix on internal mixer/two-roll mill, then extrude profiles or compression/transfer/injection mold and vulcanize ~160–200 °C; sponge grades use chemical blowing agents with a matched slow cure.
What surface finishes work on EPDM?
Surface finish comes from the mold or extrusion die; flash removed by cryogenic deflashing, and paintability/bondability requires corona, plasma or chlorination pretreatment.
EPDM 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 (C2 units)polymer C2 content; high-C2 grades are semi-crystalline | 45 – 75 | 60 |
| ENB diene (5-ethylidene-2-norbornene)cure site for sulfur vulcanization; DCPD/VNB used in some grades | 0.5 – 12 | 5 |
| carbon black (N550/N660)phr on polymer, in the compounded rubber | 20 – 90 | 60 |
| paraffinic process oilphr; oil-extended polymers supplied pre-oiled | 10 – 100 | 50 |
| calcium carbonate / clay fillerphr, cost filler | 0 – 80 | 30 |
| zinc oxide + stearic acidphr, activators | ≈ 6 | 6 |
| sulfur + accelerators or organic peroxidphr, cure system | 1 – 8 | 3 |
| propylene (C3 units)balance of polymer backbone | ≥ 20 (balance) | — |
EPDM Solid — frequently asked
What is EPDM Solid used for?
EPDM Solid is typically used for automotive window and door weatherstrip, roofing membranes, steam and hot-water gaskets, coolant and radiator hoses, sponge sealing profiles for enclosures and HVAC duct and access-panel gaskets. In short: weatherproof rubber.
What is the tensile strength of EPDM Solid?
EPDM Solid has a typical tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) — weaker than 76% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is EPDM Solid easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 88% of polymer grades). Best die-cut, waterjet or knife/CNC-blade cut with soap lubricant; milling and drilling smear and tear unless the part is frozen or a sharp hollow punch is used.
Can EPDM Solid be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Not thermally weldable — join by hot vulcanized splice, uncured tape splice, or cyanoacrylate/CR contact adhesive after abrasion plus primer.
What surface finishes work on EPDM Solid?
Surface finish comes from the mold or extrusion die; flash removed by cryogenic deflashing, and paintability/bondability requires corona, plasma or chlorination pretreatment.
Can EPDM Solid be formed, bent or molded?
Mix on internal mixer/two-roll mill, then extrude profiles or compression/transfer/injection mold and vulcanize ~160–200 °C; sponge grades use chemical blowing agents with a matched slow cure.
What is the maximum service temperature of EPDM Solid?
EPDM Solid is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F), and briefly to 160°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in EPDM Solid?
Yes — EPDM Solid is available for sheet metal and injection molding with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM D2000 — Rubber Products in Automotive Applications (classification AA/BA/CA/DA lines) — ASTM (2023)
- ASTM D1418 — Rubber and Rubber Latices Nomenclature (EPDM) — ASTM (2022)
- Vistalon EPDM grade and compound data — ExxonMobil Chemical (2023)
- Nordel IP EPDM technical information — Dow (2022)
- Keltan EPDM compounding guides — Arlanxeo (2023)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2 — Engineering Plastics/Elastomers — ASM International (1988)
- O-ring and elastomer chemical compatibility / property tables — Parker Hannifin O-Ring Handbook (2021)
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.