epdm sponge extrusion
epdm sponge extrusion
Advanced Seals & Gaskets Ltd supply a vast and complex range of sponge extrusions in many grades of material and profiles, from simple cords to complex contoured parts, all designed to provide protection, prevent the leakage or ingress of air, fluid or gas and to be aesthetically pleasing as edge trims or buffers.
Customers often request that their extrusions are produced using an EPDM sponge due to its excellent list of physical and chemical resistance properties. All EPDM sponge extrusions are made to order and produced using samples or drawings provided by customers to ensure the final product perfectly fits their applications.
What is an EPDM Sponge Extrusion?
EPDM is an abbreviation of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer which are the chemical components used to manufacture this sponge. EPDM sponge is a strong, synthetic material that is closed cell making it an ideal material for internal and external sealing applications where minimal compression is required for the material to work as an effective seal.
An ‘Extrusion’ is the process of turning raw material in this case EPDM sponge rubber compound into a specific shape using an extruder machine which works using high pressure and a die (a shaped tool). This machine pushes raw material through the die creating the finished extruded rubber profile, in continuous lengths, with a consistent cross-sectional shape as per the customer's design running throughout.
Extrusions can be made as a ‘solid’ shape such as cord, or ‘hollow’ where a hole, usually in the centre, runs through the entire length of the extrusion just leaving the outer wall. Some of the most commonly used extrusions are D-sections, P-sections, door seals, window seals, U-channels and cords, many of which can be supplied with a self-adhesive finish.
Product Enquiry
For information on epdm sponge extrusion please complete the following quick enquiry or call us on +44(0)1384 252555.
Product Specification & Key Characteristics
- Colour: Black and white options (medium-density only)
- Density: 90 – 140kg/m3
- Flammability Tested: FMVSS 302
- Operating Temperature: -20°c to +85°c
- Thickness: 1mm - 50mm (without laminations)
- Environmental Resistances: Ozone, UV, weathering
- Chemical Resistances: ketones, diluted acids and alkalis
Full technical data can be supplied upon request,
or downloaded from our online portal.
Why use EPDM Sponge Extrusions?
There are countless forms and profiles of EPDM sponge extrusions as they are all made to order for use within various applications for sealing against air, gas and liquids, cushioning against vibrations and rattles, and use as surface protection. Extrusions are perfect for applications where off the shelf seals and gaskets will not fit and a bespoke profile or shape is required.
Extrusions are also the quickest and simplest method by which continuous lengths of identical products can be manufactured, even in bulk quantities. By using an EPDM sponge extrusion, end-users benefit from having a perfectly fitting profile - combined with the properties of the EPDM sponge material.
The Benefits of using EPDM Sponge Extrusions
- Noise, vibration, shock and abrasion reduction
- Flexible with good compression recovery
- Cost-effective and readily available
- Naturally compressible to create the perfect seal to control air and water leaks
- Closed-cell structure prevents bacteria and mould build-up
- Excellent properties making it popular for use in a range of industries and applications
- Bespoke, made to order products
The Advantages of Using EPDM Sponge Extrusions
There are many advantages to using EPDM sponge extrusions within your application, it is a strong, synthetic material which is closed cell making it an ideal material for internal and external sealing applications where minimal compression is required for the material to work effectively, it has an excellent lifespan even when used outdoors and is free from dust and fibre.
EPDM sponge extrusions can be manufactured in a huge range of sizes and profiles, many of which are supplied with a choice of self-adhesives. EPDM sponge extrusions are readily available in a range of standard profiles, however, more complex and bespoke profiles will take longer to supply due to the process of designing and making the tool, testing samples and then making the final product.
The EPDM sponge is a popular choice of material that is air and watertight, ages well without becoming brittle offers good UV resistance and is able to withstand a wide scale of temperatures ranging from -20°C up to a high of 85°C.
It’s an excellent electrical insulation material, as well as having good resistance to ketones, ordinary diluted acids and alkalis, Ozone, UV and weathering as well as its general resistance to abrasion. EPDM foam is also flammability tested to meet FMVSS302 and UL94 HBF standards.
Grades of EPDM Sponge Extrusion Available
ASG stock a variety of other grades and densities of EPDM sponge which can call be used to manufacture gaskets each suited to individual applications. These include firm grade, high temperature and semi-open cell varieties:
High Temperature EPDM Foam is closed cell and highly flexible even at low temperatures, with an amazing temperature range of -50°c to +128°c. High-Temperature EPDM foam has many excellent mechanical characteristics including thermal and insulation properties, making this material ideal for many industries and applications including HVAC, Refrigeration, Pipeline, Automotive, White goods and Building & construction, etc.
Semi-Open cell EPDM combines the flexibility of an open cell material with the excellent sealing capabilities of closed-cell types once compressed. Semi-open cell EPDM pads will allow for the ingress of air, dust, moisture until compressed by 80% of their thickness, following this the product becomes water and airtight and behaves as a closed-cell product.
Firm Grade EPDM Foam is a more resilient material that will not compress as much as the standard grades under load, also this material benefits from increased tear strength and suits some of the more demanding applications such as Automotive, White Goods, Marine, Defence, Building and Construction, etc
For further information, you can view our online specification sheets or speak to a member of our sales team.
Please contact us using the form below or by calling us on +44(0)1384 252555.