Rubber Seals
NBR O-Rings
NBR is the working compound for anything that meets oil or fuel at moderate temperature.
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Rubber Seals
EPDM Seals and EPDM O-Rings
EPDM has good weather resistance and unusual versatility, which is why it appears across automotive, electrical and electronic products, daily necessities, sports equipment and mechanised industrial equipment, as well as in wires, cables and high voltage and ultra high voltage insulation materials. It is excellent where water, steam, ozone and weather are the challenge, and it is the wrong compound anywhere mineral oil is present.
Why It Wins
Key Benefits
- Good heat ozone and weather resistance for outdoor and exposed service
- Proven in heating systems water systems automotive brakes and refrigeration units
- Used in wire cable and high voltage insulation as well as in sealing
- Available in AS568 sizes without tooling and in custom sizes tooled here
- Food grade EPDM available where the application calls for it
The Brief
Problems It Solves
- Seals cracking under prolonged weather and ozone exposure because nitrile was used outdoors
- Brake and coolant seals chosen on price rather than on fluid compatibility
- Sourcing insulation grade rubber parts and sealing parts from different suppliers
- Custom profiles that general purpose suppliers refuse to tool
Audience
Who It Is For
- HVAC and plumbing equipment manufacturers
- Automotive buyers sourcing brake and coolant circuit seals
- Cable and electrical equipment makers needing insulation grade rubber parts
- Appliance manufacturers with water carrying assemblies
In Service
Application Scenarios
- Heating systems and hot water circuits
- Automotive brake systems and coolant circuits
- Refrigeration units where coolant and refrigerant resistance is needed
- Water systems and outdoor equipment exposed to weather and ozone
- Wire cable and high voltage insulation parts
Specification
What You Are Actually Buying
Only values our own records support appear here. Anything we cannot evidence is left out rather than estimated.
| Material | EPDM ethylene propylene diene monomer |
|---|---|
| Key Properties | Heat, ozone and weather resistance |
| Suitable Media | Water, steam, brake fluid, coolants and refrigerants |
| Not Suitable For | Mineral oil and fuel contact |
| Typical Industries | Automotive, electrical and electronic, insulation, appliances |
| Country of Manufacture | China |
Materials
- EPDM
Manufacturing Process
- Compound selection
- Mould selection or tooling
- Moulding
- Deflashing
- Inspection
- Packing
Detail
Technical Features
- Ethylene propylene diene monomer compound with good heat and ozone resistance
- Suitable for water steam and brake fluid contact
- Used for rubber products wires cables and insulation materials
- Available as O-rings and as moulded seal profiles
How We Check
Quality Control
- Compound selected against the stated medium by our formula engineers
- First article approved before series release
- Dimensional check against the approved sample
- Consistent formulation between orders
Made to Order
Customisation Options
- AS568 dash numbers or custom sizes to drawing
- Food grade EPDM where the application requires it
- Moulded profiles beyond round cross sections
- Insulation grade parts alongside sealing parts
Honest Comparison
Where This Is the Right Choice and Where It Is Not
Compared With NBR
NBR handles oil and fuel and fails under weather and ozone. EPDM is the mirror image. Most machines need both.
Compared With Silicone
Silicone spans a wider temperature range, while EPDM is stronger in steam, brake fluid and outdoor weathering at lower cost.
Compared With FKM
FKM covers chemistry EPDM cannot, but is not the compound to choose for hot water and brake fluid service.
Use Guide
How to Specify and Order This Part
Confirm there is no mineral oil or fuel anywhere in the circuit before specifying EPDM
State whether the application is potable or food contact so grade can be matched
Give the continuous and peak temperature with the medium
Use AS568 dash numbers where possible to avoid tooling
Store away from oils and greases even before installation
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Guide
EPDM and NBR Where Each One Belongs and Where It Fails
These two compounds cover an enormous share of industrial sealing between them, and they fail in each other's territory. Getting the boundary right removes most avoidable seal problems.
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Guide
How to Choose a Rubber Seal Material in Six Questions
Six questions decide almost every seal material choice. Answer them before you ask for a price, and the quotation you get back will be worth comparing.
Read the guide →Answers
EPDM Seals and EPDM O-Rings Questions
Can EPDM be used with brake fluid?
Yes. EPDM is used in automotive brake systems. It is mineral oil and fuel that rule it out.
Is EPDM suitable for drinking water or food contact?
Food grade EPDM exists and we can discuss it. Tell us the standard you need to meet and we will confirm what we can supply rather than assume.
Can you make EPDM profiles other than O-rings?
Yes. Moulded seal profiles are designed and tooled in our own mould workshop.
What lead time should I expect?
Standard AS568 sizes skip tooling entirely. We quote a firm lead time with the price.
Can EPDM parts be supplied for cable and insulation use?
Yes. EPDM is widely used in wires, cables and high voltage insulation materials.
How do I get a quotation?
Send the size or drawing, the medium and temperature, and the quantity. We reply within one working day.
Quote EPDM Seals and EPDM O-Rings
Send the size or drawing, the working conditions and the quantity. One working day for a considered reply.