EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, a synthetic rubber used in a range of applications. EPDM is used most commonly used in the automotive and construction industries for various seals due to its excellent resistance to environmental factors such as Ozone, UV and general weathering. Typical applications of EPDM are window and door seals (glazing), waterproofing sheets and electrical gaskets. However, EPDM has a disadvantage when up against its closest competing elastomer silicone rubber - temperature resistance. When compared with silicone rubber, EPDM has inferior resistance at higher temperatures as it can only reach maximum temperatures of 130°C (266°F).

What is Silicone Rubber?

Silicone is an inorganic polymer comprising of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen (along with Silicone). Silicone is used extensively across many industries and applications from rail, aerospace, food/beverage and automotive plus many more. Silicone rubber has a number of advantages but it is most commonly known for and used due to its resistance to extreme temperatures. Unlike EPDM, silicone stays stable and keeps its physical properties up to 230°C (446°F) and high temperature silicone grades can withstand up to 270°C. Not only is silicone excellent in extreme heat but it is also seen as a sterile elastomer, which is why you see it used in the food and beverage industry as dairy tubing, seals and gaskets on food machinery and also vending tubes in drinks machines.

Silicone is seen as the superior elastomer to EPDM due to the added benefits it provides, as well as generally providing longer life in service meaning less replacement costs and/or downtime.