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
Marco
Compound
Number
DatasheetHardness
(Shore A)
ColorLow TempHigh TempFeatures
Compound: E1000Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: BlackLow 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: E1001Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 80Color: BlackLow Temp:
-65 °F
(-55 °C)
High Temp:
300 °F
(150 °C)
Description:
Compound: E1005Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: BlackLow 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: E1055Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: BlackLow 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: E1069Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: BlackLow Temp:
-65 °F
(-55 °C)
High Temp:
250 °F
(125 °C)
Description: NSF61 compliant for drinking water applications. Internally lubricated with Struktol.
Compound: E1071Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 75Color: BlackLow 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: E1074Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: Off-whiteLow Temp:
-65 °F
(-55 °C)
High Temp:
300 °F
(150 °C)
Description: USP Class VI, 3A-Dairy, USDA, and FDA compliant.
Compound: E1077Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 75Color: BlackLow 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: E1087Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 80Color: BlackLow 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: E1097Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: BlackLow 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: E1100Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: TanLow Temp:
-50 °F
(-50 °C)
High Temp:
270 °F
(135 °C)
Description: Silver & Aluminum filled EPDM for conductivity, and EMI & RFI Shielding.
Compound: E1118Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 75Color: BlackLow 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: E1121Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 90Color: BlackLow 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: E1130Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: BlackLow Temp:
-65 °F
(-55 °C)
High Temp:
300 °F
(150 °C)
Description: NSF51 compliant for food contact.
Compound: S1000Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: OrangeLow 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: S1001Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: OrangeLow Temp:
-75 °F
(-60 °C)
High Temp:
400 °F
(205 °C)
Description:
Compound: S1004Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 40Color: OrangeLow 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: S1015Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: OrangeLow Temp:
-65 °F
(-55 °C)
High Temp:
600 °F
(320 °C)
Description: Higher temperature resistant Silicone
Compound: S1020Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: Clear-translucentLow Temp:
-65 °F
(-55 °C)
High Temp:
400 °F
(205 °C)
Description: Clear-Translucent and FDA compliant Silicone per 21 CFR 177.2600
Compound: S1032Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: YellowLow Temp:
-75 °F
(-60 °C)
High Temp:
400 °F
(205 °C)
Description:
Compound: S1037Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: Clear-translucentLow 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: S1043Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 50Color: OrangeLow Temp:
-105 °F
(-75 °C)
High Temp:
400 °F
(205 °C)
Description: Lower temperature resistant Silicone
Compound: S1081Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 65Color: Dark grayLow 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: S1083Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: Clear-translucentLow 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: S1146Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: WhiteLow 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: S1184Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 70Color: RedLow Temp:
-75 °F
(-60 °C)
High Temp:
400 °F
(205 °C)
Description:
Compound: S1206Datasheet: View DatasheetHardness: 80Color: Low Temp:
-75 °F
(-60 °C)
High Temp:
400 °F
(205 °C)
Description:
Temperature Range Comparison
Box: Base Material Family Range
Whiskers: Specialty Compounds
General Information
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
Specialty Resistances
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
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
Thermoflex®
Elastosil®
Silastic®
Brands
EPDM
Silicone
Thermoflex®
Elastosil®
Silastic®
Limitations
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
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