What Are The Best Uses And Importance Of EPDM Foam?

EPDM foam tape

If you are looking for the fastest growing and the most commonly used synthetic rubber foam, EPDM foam tape is the perfect material to consider. This synthetic rubber has both special and general-purpose applications. We find its primary application in fields like mechanical construction and automobile goods. 

EPDM foam, also known as ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, is a synthetic rubber that is durable. This article discusses the importance and the best applications of EPDM rubber foam. 

Importance of EPDM foam

It constructs EPDM from propylene, ethylene, and a diene comonomer that offers cross-connection through Sulphur vulcanization.  The earlier form of EPDM rubber is EPR or ethylene-propylene rubber that comes with zero diene units. It is cross-linked only through a radical method like peroxides. 

The two key ingredients of EPDM rubber foam are propylene and ethylene that come from natural gases and oil. Some great physical properties of this rubber foam are flexible, durable, and lightweight. It also has some anti-ageing properties. This rubber also comes with watertight and airtight properties. Owing to these properties, EPDM rubber foam finds its uses in construction works, electronic parts, and in the automotive industry. 

It is also the best material used for joint expansions. EPDM foam is another form of closed cell, which makes it the best material for sealing against water and air. 

Uses of EPDM rubber foam

Being a good elastomer, EPDM rubber is impermeable, a good insulator, and is conformable. Expanded and solid EPDM finds their uses in gasketing and sealing, and also as diaphragms and membranes. You can also use EPDM foam when any component needs fluid prevention while staying flexible. It is also used to offer elasticity or cushioning. Though it comes with good tensile strength, its flexibility makes it improper for rigid parts like structural beams, shafts, and gears. 

EPDM rubber also acts as an insulator and finds its uses for weather stripping, seals on doors for freezers, and refrigerators. We also use it in,

  • Industrial respirators (face masks)

  • Radiators

  • Glass-run channels

  • Appliance hose

  • Gardens

  • Geomembranes

  • O-rings

  • Tubing

  • Electrical insulation

  • Washers

EPDM foam also finds its uses in vehicles for hood seals, trunk seals, and window seals and for door seals. Its other uses in vehicle parts include radiators, oil coolers, heaters, EGR coolers, EGR valves, thermostats, and water pumps. It sometimes connects the degas bottles with EPDM hoses. EPDM also finds its uses in turbocharged engines to attach the cold side of the intercooler with the intake manifold. 

The best part about EPDM foam is it comes with low maintenance cost and durability. This quality makes it great as a roofing membrane used in flat roofs. We also use it for speaker cone surrounds, solar panel heat collector, vibrators, electrical insulation, and belts. Sometimes we blend coloured EPDM granules with polyurethane binders and sprayed onto wood, interlocking brick, screenings, asphalt, and concrete to create a porous, soft and non-slip surface.

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