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Although EPDM and nitrile rubber are both durable synthetic rubbers, they retain different chemical and physical properties that differentiates them from one another. EPDM rubber sheets, also known as ethylene propylene rubber, is the best outdoor rubber that is highly valued for its outdoor industrial usage. As a weather-resistant rubber, EPDM rolls are popularly used in outdoor workplaces due to its excellent resistance towards UV rays, ozone, and oxygen whereas nitrile rubber will become damaged. Nitrile rubber, contrastingly, cannot withstand outdoor environments, but is able to resist oil, grease, and gasoline. An EPDM elastomer is a resilient weather-resistant rubber that is an extremely versatile material that is often used in both indoor and outdoor industrial workplaces.
Open Cell Rubber – EPDM
Is EPDM the Same and Nitrile?
Although EPDM and nitrile are both synthetic rubbers, they are not the same material as EPDM is better resistant to outdoor environments than nitrile, and nitrile is better resistant to oils and greases than EPDM. Each rubber is made up of a unique blend of chemicals that give these synthetic rubbers enhanced physical strength and chemical resistance than that of natural rubbers. EPDM rubber sheets are made with chemicals ethylene, propylene, and diene monomers that give ethylene propylene rubber its unique outdoor resistance and chemical resistance properties. Nitrile, contrastingly, is a synthetic rubber that is “derived from acrylonitrile (ACN) and butadiene” (Wikipedia.org). These chemical compounds allow each elastomer to be use in applications the other cannot. For instance, ethylene propylene rubber retains excellent resistance to environmental damaging factors while nitrile can become severely damaged when exposed to outdoor conditions; however, nitrile holds better chemical resistance properties than EPDM and is able to be used in oil-related applications whereas EPDM rubber sheets will swell and become weakened. The difference in chemical compositions of the two elastomers gives each their own unique characteristics than that of the other elastomer.
EPDM – Commercial Grade – 60A
EPDM – Commercial Grade – 60A
- EPDM rubber with a smooth finish
- A black weather resistant rubber that is ideal as an outdoor liner or pad
- EPDM material is in stock in 1/16″, 1/8″, 3/16″, 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″ thickness
- A blend of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM rubber) and SBR
- This sheet rubber weighs about 1-1/4 lbs. per square foot in 1/8″ thickness
Excellent Industrial Sheet Rubber: EPDM rubber has adequate elastic and pliable qualities. The material has a durometer of Shore 55-65A but on average, has a Shore 60A measurement. A Shore A scale measures the hardness of the rubber. For example, a soft pencil eraser has a durometer of Shore 20A. Although higher than an eraser, the durometer of EPDM still maintains a good amount of flexibility for all of your necessary projects. In addition, EPDM rubber has a minimum elongation of 300%.
Popular Gauges: Rubber-Cal understands that some gauges are in higher demand than others. Therefore, the most popular gauges can usually be found in stock, ready for customers. This includes a range of eight different gauges to choose from. Custom thickness and widths are available upon request, though non-standard sizes will have large minimum orders. A Rubber-Cal representative can assist you in exploring customization options. With so many choices, you’re bound to find the perfect size of EPDM material.
How is EPDM Manufactured?
EPDM is manufactured by crosslinking the chemicals ethylene, propylene, and diene monomers through the process of vulcanization. Vulcanization refers to the “chemical process by which the physical properties of natural or synthetic rubber are improved; finished rubber has higher tensile strength and resistance to swelling and abrasion and is elastic over a greater range of temperatures” (Britannica.com). This unique blend of chemical compounds gives EPDM rubber sheets their excellent outdoor resistance properties. More specifically, the main two monomers, ethylene and propylene, affect the chemical and physical properties of the EPDM elastomer. As a case in point, “The quantitative ratio of the monomers confers particular properties on the final elastomer. For example, usage of high ethylene content [in EPDM] will produce polymers with high green strength, whereas low and medium values with produce softer and more elastic polymers” (academia.edu). In general, EPDM rubber sheets can withstand most harsh chemicals allowing it to provide reliable applications in industrial settings where they can be exposed to chemicals. In addition, although EPDM rubber sheets are highly resistant to many harsh chemicals, it excels at being an outdoor weather-resistant rubber material.
How do You Make Nitrile Rubber?
You can make nitrile rubber by combining butadiene and acrylonitrile together into a single compound by heating the chemicals through the vulcanization process. Much like the process of producing EPDM rubber sheets, the chemical compounds used in the production of nitrile rubber dictates the chemical and physical properties of the elastomer. For example, “With increasing acrylonitrile content, [nitrile] shows high strength, greater resistance to swelling by hydrocarbons, and lower permeability to gases” (Britannica.com). Additionally, nitrile is compatible with chemicals, such as ammonia, detergents, mercury, methyl alcohol, and zinc sulfate, which makes nitrile a resilient industrial rubber material. Nitrile is best known for its superior resistance to oil and fuel which makes it the ideal material for use in automotive industries or in industrial applications involving oil or grease.
Closed Cell Rubber – EPDM
Closed Cell Rubber – EPDM
- Temperature Range: -40° F to 200° F
- Durometer rating of 15 Shore C
- Sheets available in size of 39″ by 78”
- Perfect for use in indoor or outdoor applications
High Compressive Strength: Closed cell rubber is a bit different from its open cell counterpart in terms of compressive strength. While open cell sponge rubber can rebound back to its original shape very quickly, closed foam rubber sponge takes a bit longer to do so. This allows the closed cell EPDM sponge rubber to handle high- pressure applications at a better rate, making it more durable.
Perfect for the Outdoors: The excellent ability of this closed cell rubber to operate in the outdoors is all thanks to the compound of EPDM rubber in its structural makeup. It has an excellent level of resistant to both UV rays and ozone. Outdoor factors like UV and ozone may not damage a material immediately, but they can definitely degrade a material over time. The EPDM compound in this sponge rubber allows it to remain exposed to the elements for extended periods of time. This is the primary reason why EPDM material is a popular elastomer to use in applications such as window sealing on vehicles and homes.
What is the Difference Between EPDM and Nitrile Rubber?
The main difference between EPDM and nitrile rubber can be seen through their chemical and physical properties. While both elastomers are extremely durable and resistant to numerous chemical solvents, they each have properties that surpass that of the other elastomer. EPDM rubber sheets are weather-resistant materials that will not be damaged by UV rays and ozone whereas nitrile rubber is better suited for oil or petroleum-related applications. Despite the difference in chemical properties, both elastomers exhibit high tensile strength, low compression sets, and excellent flexibility which allow them to resist breakage when used in highly abrasive applications.
EPDM vs Nitrile: Chemical Properties
Both nitrile and EPDM rubber sheets are highly chemical-resistant elastomers that are ideal for industrial applications involving harsh chemical solvents. Each elastomer has their own unique set of chemical-resistance properties that differ from the other elastomer. EPDM rubber sheets are best known for being a weather-resistant rubber material that is ideal for outdoor and industrial usage while nitrile is a highly oil-resistant rubber. For example, EPDM is compatible with most harsh chemical solvents; however, “it is incompatible with most hydrocarbons, such as oils, kerosene, aromatic, gasoline, as well as halogenated solvents” (Wikipedia.org). EPDM will swell and lose its strength in an application when exposed to oil. Nitrile rubber, on the other hand, has excellent resistance to oil. As a case in point, “Unlike all other general-purpose synthetic rubbers, nitrile rubber has excellent oil and solvent resistant properties…” (differencebetween.com). EPDM rubber sheets are not resistant to oils, such as gasoline and kerosene as nitrile rubber is, but it will provide long-lasting applications and perform well in chemical-related industrial applications.
Closed Cell Rubber – EPDM – 39″ x 78″
EPDM vs Nitrile: Physical Properties
As synthetic elastomers, both EPDM and nitrile retain excellent physical properties; however, some physical properties, such as environmental resistance, differ from that of the other. EPDM rubber sheets are valued for their excellent outdoor properties that allow them to remain reliable outdoor rubber materials that can be used in outdoor industrial settings. EPDM is capable of resisting degradation caused by direct sunlight and cracking caused by ozone. Ozone, in particular, has an extremely negative effect of rubber, including synthetic nitrile rubber. These “ozone attacks” on nitrile rubber occur as “tiny traces of ozone in the air will attack double bonds in rubber chains…Nitrile is a copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile units, but the proportion of acrylonitrile is usually lower than butadiene, so attack occurs” (Wikipedia.org). Similarly, both rubbers have wide operating temperature ranges that allow them to hold up well in the face of abrasive temperatures. Ethylene propylene rubber has an operating temperature range of -40 to +212 degrees Fahrenheit whereas nitrile has a slightly wider operating temperature range of -22 to +248 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite its smaller operating temperature range, EPDM is the better weather-resistant rubber of the two and will not be harmed when left outdoors for long periods of time. EPDM is the superior weather-resistant rubber which makes it a more versatile material that can be used both indoors and outdoors without deteriorating.
EPDM and nitrile are both resilient synthetic elastomers that are valued for their ability to withstand harsh industrial environments. Despite their similarities, nitrile and EPDM rubber sheets are generally used in different settings. As an outdoor rubber, EPDM rolls are often used outdoors whereas nitrile rolls are generally used indoors. An EPDM elastomer is better able to withstand harsh environmental factors than nitrile making it the ideal outdoor rubber; however, nitrile rubber holds the upper hand when it comes to resisting oil, grease, and gasoline. EPDM rubber sheets are still the ideal weather-resistant rubber material for industrial settings that are exposed to UV rays, ozone, or oxygen.
