EPDM and extruded rubber silicone are two excellent rubber material choices for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications. With the global EPDM market valued at $3.68 billion in 2020 and the silicone market projected to reach $30.4 billion by 2028, both materials play a vital role across industries.
When comparing the Difference Between EPDM And Silicone Rubber, EPDM rubber is widely known for its weather resistance and durability, making it ideal for automotive seals, roofing membranes, and outdoor applications. Silicone rubber offers high temperature resistance, flexibility, and biocompatibility, making it the preferred option for medical devices, electronics, and food-grade products.
In the following sections, we’ll explore their unique properties, broad applications, and distinct advantages, guiding you toward the best choice for your specific needs.
Key Takeaways
- Silicone handles extreme temperatures and is perfect for medical, food, and electronic applications.
- EPDM is more affordable, but less heat- and oil-resistant than silicone.
- Silicone costs more but offers superior flexibility, durability, and chemical resistance.
- EPDM may shrink under high heat, while silicone maintains its shape.
- Use EPDM for general sealing and silicone for precision, high-temp use.
- For projects needing FDA-grade or custom rubber solutions, Elastostar can help.
- Always match material choice with environment, exposure, and performance needs.
Table of Contents
What is EPDM?
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) rubber is a type of synthetic rubber known for its excellent weather resistance and durability. It is made from ethylene, propylene, and a diene comonomer, which allows it to form strong cross-links. These cross-links give EPDM rubber its excellent elasticity and resistance, making it a versatile and reliable material for a wide range of applications.
Read More– Top 5 considerations in EPDM rubber gaskets.
What is Silicone Rubber?
Silicone rubber is a synthetic elastomer composed of silicone, which is made up of silicon, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. It is highly valued for its exceptional flexibility, temperature resistance, and biocompatibility.
These properties make it ideal for a wide range of applications, including medical devices and electronic components. Its ability to maintain stability and performance across a broad temperature range further enhances its versatility and reliability.
Now, let’s compare Silicone and EPDM based on their material properties to determine which best suits your needs.
How is Silicone Manufactured?
Silicone can be manufactured in various ways, depending on the type of silicone being used. Silicone can come in three forms: LSRs (liquid silicone rubbers), RTVs (Room Temperature Vulcanization), and HTVs (High-Temperature Vulcanization).
Elastostar Rubber Corporation manufactures HTV silicone rubber. The silicone is formed into the exact shape needed, then heat-cured to create the final product.
Silicones are produced in various forms and shapes, including silicone rubber sheets and rolls, tubes, cords, profiles, and sections. They can be made in solid or sponge silicone, based on the application(s).
Silicone vs. EPDM Technical Comparison
To make the best material choice, it’s essential to understand the Material Properties, Applications, advantages, disadvantages, and melting temperature of silicone and EPDM. This knowledge ensures reliable and efficient performance in your applications.
1. Material Properties
Understanding the key material properties is crucial for selecting the right material for your application.
| Property | EPDM Rubber | Silicone Rubber |
| Temperature Resistance | -50°C to 150°C | -60°C to 230°C |
| Chemical Resistance | Good resistance to acids, alkalis, and phosphate esters | Excellent resistance to oils, solvents, and many chemicals |
| Durability and Longevity | High resistance to abrasion, tearing, and general wear and tear | Maintains flexibility and strength over a wide temperature range |
| Environmental Resistance | Excellent resistance to UV radiation, ozone, and extreme weather conditions | Resistant to UV radiation, ozone, and weathering, ensuring long-lasting performance |
Now that we’ve covered their material properties, let’s read the various applications.
2. Applications
Common Industries Using EPDM
- Automotive: EPDM rubber is widely used for seals, hoses, and weather stripping due to its flexibility and long-lasting performance.
- Construction: Employed in roofing membranes and window seals, it offers superior weather resistance and durability.
- HVAC: This material is ideal for rubber gaskets and insulation in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems because of its temperature and weather resistance.
- Electrical: Commonly used for wire and cable insulation, EPDM provides excellent electrical resistance properties.
- Agriculture: EPDM is valued in irrigation systems and sealing applications for its robustness and reliability.
Common Industries Using Silicone
- Medical: Silicone is essential for tubing, seals, extruded gaskets, and implants due to its biocompatibility.
- Food and Beverage: Used in baking industries, such as seals, for its heat resistance and non-reactive nature.
- Electronics: This material is commonly found in keypads, insulators, and flexible circuits because of its durability and flexibility.
- Aerospace: Utilized in insulation materials for its ability to withstand extreme temperatures.
- Consumer Goods: Silicone is widely appreciated in household products for its safety and durability.
Having explored their applications, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of using Silicone and EPDM for your specific needs.
3. Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages of EPDM
- Weather Resistance: Excellent protection against UV radiation, ozone, and extreme weather conditions, making it ideal for outdoor use.
- Durability: High resistance to abrasion, tearing, and water.
- Chemical Resistance: Effective against polar solvents, acids, alkalies, and phosphate esters.
- Electrical Insulation: Suitable for insulation and gaskets.
- Cost-Effective: More affordable than silicone.
- Temperature Range: Operates from -50°C to 150°C, suitable for high-temperature gaskets.
While EPDM has numerous advantages, it also has some limitations.
- Chemical Limitations: Not compatible with oils, greases, and hydrocarbon fuels.
- Temperature Performance: Limited high-temperature resistance compared to silicone.
- Flexibility: Less flexible and has a shorter life span, requiring more frequent replacements.
Advantages of Silicone
- Temperature Resistance: Silicone excels in extreme temperatures, maintaining flexibility and strength from -60°C to 230°C, with a melting point of around 232°C (450°F).
- Biocompatibility: Non-toxic and hypoallergenic, making it suitable for medical and food-grade applications.
- Chemical Resistance: Excellent resistance to oils, solvents, brake fluids, and many chemicals, ensuring durability in harsh environments.
- Durability: Highly resistant to UV radiation, ozone, and weathering, for outdoor and long-term use.
- Compression: Maintains shape under pressure, ensuring reliability in sealing applications.
- Versatility: Can be modified for various applications, offering flexibility in design and use.
However, silicone rubber also has some disadvantages to consider.
- Cost: Generally more expensive than EPDM, which can impact budgeting for large-scale projects.
- Abrasion Resistance: Poor abrasion resistance, though this can be improved with specific formulations.
- Water Swell Resistance: Generally poor, although modifications can enhance performance.
- Steam and Chemical Limitations: Should not be used with steam over 121°C (249°F) or with hydrocarbon fuels, alkalis, acids, trichloroethylene, and aromatic hydrocarbons.
4. Highest Melting Point
When selecting rubber materials for industrial applications, understanding the temperature resilience of different types is crucial.
Silicone Rubber
Silicone rubber can withstand temperatures ranging from -60°C to 230°C, maintaining its flexibility and performance even under prolonged exposure to high temperatures. This makes it ideal for high-temperature applications like medical devices, electronics, and automotive parts.
EPDM Rubber
EPDM (ethylene-propylene rubber) withstands temperatures ranging from -50°C to 150°C. While it performs well in many applications, it may degrade at higher temperatures. EPDM is best suited for outdoor and automotive uses where resistance to weathering is more important than extreme heat tolerance.
Read More– How much heat can silicone rubber withstand?
How Heat Affects Silicone vs. EPDM
As shown in the diagram, silicone rubber and EPDM exhibit different properties when exposed to varying degrees of heat.
Our Laboratory team conducted several heat-aging tests using a standard silicone sponge and a regular EPDM sponge. Both had a thickness of 6mm.
Six circles, each measuring 58mm, were cut out of the original pieces and placed in the oven for a few hours at various temperatures. The outcomes were then documented in the following manner:
EPDM Results
At 100°C, the EPDM sample had shrunk by 17% to 48mm. This is a surprising result considering that the datasheet indicated the temperature limit was 130°C.
At 125°C, the shrinkage continued, but it was more severe, resulting in a 52% decrease from its original size to 28mm.
Finally, at 150°C, the EPDM had decreased by a further 1mm, concluding that 125°C is where the material exhibited severe deformity.
Silicone Results
The silicone samples did not show any shrinkage when exposed to the same temperature as EPDM. The silicone rubber samples all remained at 58mm after being taken out from the oven, demonstrating the strength of silicone when heated to high temperatures.
Read More– Complete guide to neoprene gasket material.
Why is Choosing the Right Material Important?
When choosing between silicone and EPDM, it’s important to consider their distinct properties and application needs.
- Silicone is highly flexible, biocompatible, and excels in various applications, including medical, food-grade, and electronic uses. With excellent resistance to chemicals and weathering, silicone is a durable material, but it comes at a higher cost and with less abrasion resistance.
- EPDM, on the other hand, is known for its superior weather resistance, durability, and cost-effectiveness. It’s the most water-resistant rubber, making it ideal for outdoor, automotive, and construction applications. However, EPDM isn’t suited for applications involving oils and greases and has a shorter lifespan than silicone.
At Elastostar Rubber Corporation, we offer both silicone and EPDM options, and our team is here to help you select the best material for your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for a durable, cost-effective solution or a material that excels in demanding environments, we’re here to help you make the right choice and ensure your purchase meets all your requirements.
Tips- Choose silicone for high heat and chemical resistance, and EPDM for weather resistance and affordability.
Looking for alternatives? Discover other high-performance rubber materials that may be the ideal fit for your specific needs, beyond silicone and EPDM.
What are alternative Materials to Silicone and EPDM?
Here are a few alternative materials to Silicone and EPDM;
- Neoprene Rubber: Offers a good balance of oil, chemical, and weather resistance. It’s versatile and cost-effective, widely used in automotive, marine, and industrial applications.
- Nitrile Rubber (NBR): Known for excellent oil and fuel resistance, making it ideal for automotive and aeronautical industries. It’s highly durable and suited for harsh environments.
- Fluoroelastomer (FKM/Viton): Exceptional resistance to high temperatures, chemicals, and oils. Commonly used in aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications requiring extreme durability.
Recommended Reads
- What Are the Top 7 Types of Rubber & Which Is the Best?
- Top 5 Considerations in EPDM Rubber Gaskets
- Comparing Different Types of Rubbers
Conclusion
Selecting between EPDM and silicone rubber depends on your specific needs and requirements. EPDM is renowned for its exceptional weather resistance and affordability, making it an ideal choice for outdoor and automotive applications. Silicone rubber offers superior temperature resistance and flexibility, making it suitable for high-heat and specialized applications. For customized extruded rubber solutions and expert advice, you can get in touch with Elastostar Rubber Corporation. We provide a wide range of high-quality rubber profiles – to ensure optimal performance and durability for your projects.
Elastostar is proud to offer the highest quality components and rubber parts in the industry. We have been a trusted manufacturer of custom and standard-size extruded rubber seal and gasket parts for the food equipment, medical, pharmaceutical, Glass, window& door industries.
Our advanced facilities and experienced experts can produce FDA-compliant, medical-grade, and surgical-grade tubing, as well as other high-quality products. All the products are made of various rubber-based materials, including silicon rubber. To learn more about our top Silicone Rubber products and solutions, please contact us now, request a quote today, or call us at +1 614-841-4400.
FAQS
What are the key differences between EPDM and Silicone?
EPDM rubber excels in weather resistance and UV stability, while silicone offers better heat resistance and durability.
Which is better for outdoor applications, EPDM or Silicone?
For outdoor applications, EPDM is generally better due to its superior resistance to UV rays and ozone, making it ideal for prolonged exposure to the elements. If you need a reliable solution for your outdoor applications, Elastostar can provide customized EPDM products to meet your specific needs. Feel free to contact us for expert advice and high-quality rubber solutions.
Can EPDM and Silicone be used interchangeably?
No, EPDM and silicone are not usually interchangeable due to their distinct properties. EPDM is ideal for weather resistance, while silicone is better suited for high-temperature environments.
What are the cost implications of choosing Silicone over EPDM?
Yes, choosing silicone over EPDM can result in higher costs, primarily due to its superior heat resistance and rubber melting point.
Is EPDM rubber suitable for electrical insulation?
Yes, EPDM has excellent electrical insulation properties and is widely used in cable jackets, gaskets, and seals in electrical systems.
How does silicone rubber perform in cold environments?
Silicone remains flexible and performs exceptionally well in extreme cold, down to -60°C, making it ideal for refrigeration and aerospace applications.
Can I use EPDM in applications involving oil or fuel?
No, EPDM has poor resistance to oils and fuels. For such environments, materials like Nitrile (NBR) or Viton (FKM) are better choices.
Is silicone rubber safe for food-grade applications?
Yes, food-grade silicone is FDA-approved, non-toxic, and heat-resistant, making it perfect for baking molds and beverage seals.
Where can I get FDA-grade silicone rubber components?
At Elastostar, we offer FDA and medical-grade silicone tubing, seals, and custom extrusions. Contact us today for compliant, safe rubber solutions.
Does Elastostar provide custom rubber profiles?
Yes! Elastostar Rubber Corporation specializes in the custom extrusion of rubber profiles in both EPDM and silicone.
How do I choose the right rubber for my application?
Our experts at Elastostar can help assess your application conditions, temperature, chemicals, pressure, and recommend the ideal rubber. Contact us for a free consultation.
Can I request a sample or a quote from Elastostar?
Absolutely. You can request a quote or sample directly on our website or call us at +1 614-841-4400. We’re here to help with fast, reliable rubber solutions.
