EPDM (EPR) vs Silicone for O-Rings and Seals
EPDM (EP, EPR, Ethylene-Propylene Rubber) | Silicone (VMQ, SIL) |
Description | Both materials are well suited for use in the -55 to 150°C range. EPDM has an advantage in lower temperatures and Silicone has an advantage in higher temperatures. Marco offers specific compound formulations extending these ranges even futher as can be seen in the following compound comparison chart. When comparing these materials with respect to electrical current resistance, both materials are equally poor. The differences in compression set resistence show that Silicone has a slight advantage. Additionally, Silicone has a slight advantage when considering wear resistance. Also, Silicone has a slight advantage when comparing heat stability. Furthermore, EPDM has a slight advantage when comparing short term resilience. Finally, EPDM has a significant advantage when evaluating differences in permeation resilience. Both materials are resistant to greases, weathering and sunlight, silicone oils, ketones and brake fluids, with EPDM having specific resistences to acids, bases, steam, phosphate ester hydraulic fluids, glycol brake fluids (DOT 3, 4, 5.1), cleaning agents, some acids and steam <300ºF. Silicone has specific resistence to ozone, compression set, vegetable oils, animal oils, oxygen, fungal growth, dry heat, wide temperature range, non-toxic and odorless. |
Compounds |
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Marco Compound Number | Datasheet | Hardness (Shore A) | Color | Low Temp | High Temp | Features | |
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Compound: E1000 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 70 | Color: Black | Low Temp: -65 °F (-55 °C) | High Temp: 300 °F (150 °C) | Description: Peroxide cured for improved aging, thermal and chemical stability. NSF61 compliant for drinking water applications and FDA compliant per 21 CFR 177.2600. Compare to Parker E1549-70 and Parco 5323-70. | |
Compound: E1001 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 80 | Color: Black | Low Temp: -65 °F (-55 °C) | High Temp: 300 °F (150 °C) | Description: | |
Compound: E1005 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 70 | Color: Black | Low Temp: -65 °F (-55 °C) | High Temp: 265 °F (130 °C) | Description: General purpose sulfur cured EPDM. Low cost compound with large stocked inventory. Alternative hardness and color options available. Compare to Parker E0603-70. | |
Compound: E1055 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 70 | Color: Black | Low Temp: -65 °F (-55 °C) | High Temp: 300 °F (150 °C) | Description: Peroxide cured for improved aging, thermal, and chemical stability. Large stocked inventory. Alternative hardness and color options available. | |
Compound: E1069 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 70 | Color: Black | Low Temp: -65 °F (-55 °C) | High Temp: 250 °F (125 °C) | Description: NSF61 compliant for drinking water applications. Internally lubricated with Struktol. | |
Compound: E1071 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 75 | Color: Black | Low Temp: -50 °F (-50 °C) | High Temp: 260 °F (130 °C) | Description: Conductive silver plated nickel filler for EMI / RFI shielding applications. Compare to Parker Chomerics E6434. | |
Compound: E1074 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 70 | Color: Off-white | Low Temp: -65 °F (-55 °C) | High Temp: 300 °F (150 °C) | Description: USP Class VI, 3A-Dairy, USDA, and FDA compliant. | |
Compound: E1077 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 75 | Color: Black | Low Temp: -25 °F (-30 °C) | High Temp: 215 °F (100 °C) | Description: Conductive nickel plated graphite filler for EMI / RFI shielding applications. Compare to Parker Chomerics E6306. | |
Compound: E1087 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 80 | Color: Black | Low Temp: -65 °F (-55 °C) | High Temp: 300 °F (150 °C) | Description: Compounded to have an extemely high tensile strength. Peroxide cured for improved aging, thermal, and chemical stability. | |
Compound: E1097 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 70 | Color: Black | Low Temp: -65 °F (-55 °C) | High Temp: 300 °F (150 °C) | Description: Peroxide cured, NSF61, 3A-Dairy, USDA, and FDA compliant. Improved chloramine resistance. | |
Compound: E1100 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 70 | Color: Tan | Low Temp: -50 °F (-50 °C) | High Temp: 270 °F (135 °C) | Description: Silver & Aluminum filled EPDM for conductivity, and EMI & RFI Shielding. | |
Compound: E1118 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 75 | Color: Black | Low Temp: -45 °F (-45 °C) | High Temp: 300 °F (150 °C) | Description: Nuclear safe, improved radiation resistance, low extractables. Compare to James Walker Shieldseal 663. | |
Compound: E1121 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 90 | Color: Black | Low Temp: -60 °F (-50 °C) | High Temp: 550 °F (290 °C) | Description: Y267 cured for greatly improved steam resistance. High hardness compound with excellent Explosive Decompression (ED) resistance. Compare to Parker e0962-90. | |
Compound: E1130 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 70 | Color: Black | Low Temp: -65 °F (-55 °C) | High Temp: 300 °F (150 °C) | Description: NSF51 compliant for food contact. | |
Compound: S1000 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 70 | Color: Orange | Low Temp: -75 °F (-60 °C) | High Temp: 400 °F (205 °C) | Description: General purpose and FDA compliant Silicone per 21 CFR 177.2600 (available in nearly any color and durometer) | |
Compound: S1001 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 70 | Color: Orange | Low Temp: -75 °F (-60 °C) | High Temp: 400 °F (205 °C) | Description: | |
Compound: S1004 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 40 | Color: Orange | Low Temp: -75 °F (-60 °C) | High Temp: 400 °F (205 °C) | Description: General purpose softer than standard Silicone to seal rough or warped glands and or low closure force applications | |
Compound: S1015 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 70 | Color: Orange | Low Temp: -65 °F (-55 °C) | High Temp: 600 °F (320 °C) | Description: Higher temperature resistant Silicone | |
Compound: S1020 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 70 | Color: Clear-translucent | Low Temp: -65 °F (-55 °C) | High Temp: 400 °F (205 °C) | Description: Clear-Translucent and FDA compliant Silicone per 21 CFR 177.2600 | |
Compound: S1032 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 70 | Color: Yellow | Low Temp: -75 °F (-60 °C) | High Temp: 400 °F (205 °C) | Description: | |
Compound: S1037 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 70 | Color: Clear-translucent | Low Temp: -65 °F (-55 °C) | High Temp: 400 °F (205 °C) | Description: Medical Grade USP Class VI and FDA compliant Silicone, Platinium Cured, Clean Room Manufactured | |
Compound: S1043 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 50 | Color: Orange | Low Temp: -105 °F (-75 °C) | High Temp: 400 °F (205 °C) | Description: Lower temperature resistant Silicone | |
Compound: S1081 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 65 | Color: Dark gray | Low Temp: -65 °F (-55 °C) | High Temp: 350 °F (180 °C) | Description: EMI RFI Shielding Nickel Coated Graphite filled Silicone, Volume Resistivity 0.10 ohm-cm | |
Compound: S1083 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 70 | Color: Clear-translucent | Low Temp: -65 °F (-55 °C) | High Temp: 400 °F (205 °C) | Description: Medical Grade USP Class VI and FDA compliant Silicone, Platinium Cured, Commercial Manufactured | |
Compound: S1146 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 70 | Color: White | Low Temp: -75 °F (-60 °C) | High Temp: 480 °F (250 °C) | Description: Medical Grade USP Class VI and FDA compliant Silicone, Platinium Cured, Commercial Manufactured | |
Compound: S1184 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 70 | Color: Red | Low Temp: -75 °F (-60 °C) | High Temp: 400 °F (205 °C) | Description: | |
Compound: S1206 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 80 | Color: | Low Temp: -75 °F (-60 °C) | High Temp: 400 °F (205 °C) | Description: |
Temperature Range Comparison |
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Box: Base Material Family Range
Whiskers: Specialty Compounds
General Information | ||
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Full Name | EPDM: EPDM (EP, EPR, Ethylene-Propylene Rubber) | Silicone: Silicone (VMQ, SIL) |
Short Name | EPDM: EPDM | Silicone: Silicone |
Common Names | EPDM: EPDM, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber | Silicone: Silicone, VMQ, PVMQ |
Mechanical Properties |
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Specialty Resistances | ||
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Brake Fluids | Brake Fluids | |
Greases | Greases | |
Ketones | Ketones | |
Silicone Oils | Silicone Oils | |
Weathering And Sunlight | Weathering And Sunlight | |
Steam <300ºF | Odorless | |
Some Acids | Non-toxic | |
Cleaning Agents | Wide Temperature Range | |
Glycol Brake Fluids (DOT 3, 4, 5.1) | Dry Heat | |
Phosphate Ester Hydraulic Fluids | Fungal Growth | |
Steam | Oxygen | |
Bases | Animal Oils | |
Acids | Vegetable Oils | |
Compression Set | ||
Ozone |
Specialty Resistances | |
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EPDM | Steam <300ºF Some Acids Cleaning Agents Glycol Brake Fluids (DOT 3, 4, 5.1) Phosphate Ester Hydraulic Fluids Steam Bases Acids |
Silicone | Odorless Non-toxic Wide Temperature Range Dry Heat Fungal Growth Oxygen Animal Oils Vegetable Oils Compression Set Ozone |
Brands | ||
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Thermoflex® | ||
Elastosil® | ||
Silastic® |
Brands | |
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EPDM | |
Silicone | Thermoflex® Elastosil® Silastic® |
Limitations | ||
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Aromatic Hydrocarbons | Aromatic Hydrocarbons | |
Concentrated Acids | Concentrated Acids | |
Kerosene | Diluted Sodium Hydroxide | |
Non-polar Solvents | High Gas Permeability | |
Halogenated Solvents | Dynamic Applications | |
Petroleum Oils | Alkalis | |
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons | Aromatic Mineral Oils | |
Mineral Oils | Concentrated Solvents | |
Common Fuels | Hydrocarbon Fuels | |
Alternative Fuels | Steam | |
Acids |
Limitations | |
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EPDM | Kerosene Non-polar Solvents Halogenated Solvents Petroleum Oils Aliphatic Hydrocarbons Mineral Oils Common Fuels Alternative Fuels |
Silicone | Diluted Sodium Hydroxide High Gas Permeability Dynamic Applications Alkalis Aromatic Mineral Oils Concentrated Solvents Hydrocarbon Fuels Steam Acids |