Polyurethane vs EPDM (EPR) for O-Rings and Seals
Polyurethane (PU, TPU) | EPDM (EP, EPR, Ethylene-Propylene Rubber) |
Description | Both materials are well suited for use in the -23 to 66°C range. Polyurethane has an advantage in lower temperatures and EPDM 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, EPDM has a slight advantage. The differences in compression set resistence show that EPDM has a significant advantage. Additionally, EPDM has a significant advantage when considering wear resistance. Also, EPDM has a significant advantage when comparing heat stability. Furthermore, Polyurethane has a significant advantage when comparing short term resilience. Finally, both materials are equally Poor when evaluating differences in permeation resilience. Both materials are resistant to greases, weathering and sunlight, silicone oils and brake fluids, with Polyurethane having specific resistences to ozone, common fuels, mineral oils, aliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, aging, hydraulic fluids, water, oxygen, tear, silicone greases, some petroleum oils and some hydrocarbon fuels. EPDM has specific resistence to acids, bases, steam, phosphate ester hydraulic fluids, glycol brake fluids (DOT 3, 4, 5.1), cleaning agents, ketones, some acids and steam <300ºF. | |
| Compounds |
|---|
| Marco Compound Number | Datasheet | Hardness (Shore A) | Color | Low Temp | High Temp | Features | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | Get Quote | Buy Online | |
| Compound: E1001 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 80 | Color: Black | Low Temp: -65 °F (-55 °C) | High Temp: 300 °F (150 °C) | Description: | Get Quote | Buy Online | |
| 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. | Get Quote | Buy Online | |
| 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. | Get Quote | Buy Online | |
| 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. | Get Quote | Buy Online | |
| 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. | Get Quote | Buy Online | |
| 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. | Get Quote | Buy Online | |
| 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. | Get Quote | Buy Online | |
| 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. | Get Quote | Buy Online | |
| 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. | Get Quote | Buy Online | |
| 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. | Get Quote | Buy Online | |
| 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. | Get Quote | Buy Online | |
| 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. | Get Quote | Buy Online | |
| 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. | Get Quote | Buy Online | |
| Compound: P1000 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 70 | Color: Yellow translucent | Low Temp: -65 °F (-55 °C) | High Temp: 250 °F (125 °C) | Description: High performance 70 durometer Polyurethane | Get Quote | Buy Online | |
| Compound: P1001 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 90 | Color: Yellow translucent | Low Temp: -65 °F (-55 °C) | High Temp: 250 °F (125 °C) | Description: High performance 90 durometer Polyurethane | Get Quote | Buy Online | |
| Compound: P1004 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 90 | Color: Translucent | Low Temp: -30 °F (-35 °C) | High Temp: 180 °F (85 °C) | Description: General purpose 90 durometer Polyurethane | Get Quote | Buy Online | |
| Compound: P1006 | Datasheet: | Hardness: 70 | Color: Translucent | Low Temp: -30 °F (-35 °C) | High Temp: 180 °F (85 °C) | Description: General purpose 70 durometer Polyurethane | Get Quote | Buy Online |
| Temperature Range Comparison |
|---|
Box: Base Material Family Range
Whiskers: Specialty Compounds
| General Information | ||
|---|---|---|
Full Name | Polyurethane: Polyurethane (PU, TPU) | EPDM: EPDM (EP, EPR, Ethylene-Propylene Rubber) |
Short Name | Polyurethane: Polyurethane | EPDM: EPDM |
Common Names | Polyurethane: Urethane, AU, EU, PU | EPDM: EPDM, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber |
| Mechanical Properties |
|---|
| Specialty Resistances | ||
|---|---|---|
Brake Fluids | Brake Fluids | |
Greases | Greases | |
Silicone Oils | Silicone Oils | |
Weathering And Sunlight | Weathering And Sunlight | |
Some Hydrocarbon Fuels | Steam <300ºF | |
Some Petroleum Oils | Some Acids | |
Silicone Greases | Ketones | |
Tear | Cleaning Agents | |
Oxygen | Glycol Brake Fluids (DOT 3, 4, 5.1) | |
Water | Phosphate Ester Hydraulic Fluids | |
Hydraulic Fluids | Steam | |
Aging | Bases | |
Chlorinated Hydrocarbons | Acids | |
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons | ||
Mineral Oils | ||
Common Fuels | ||
Ozone |
| Specialty Resistances | |
|---|---|
| Polyurethane | Some Hydrocarbon Fuels Some Petroleum Oils Silicone Greases Tear Oxygen Water Hydraulic Fluids Aging Chlorinated Hydrocarbons Aliphatic Hydrocarbons Mineral Oils Common Fuels Ozone |
| EPDM | Steam <300ºF Some Acids Ketones Cleaning Agents Glycol Brake Fluids (DOT 3, 4, 5.1) Phosphate Ester Hydraulic Fluids Steam Bases Acids |
| Brands | ||
|---|---|---|
Vibrathane® | ||
Millathane® | ||
Adiprene® |
| Brands | |
|---|---|
| Polyurethane | Vibrathane® Millathane® Adiprene® |
| EPDM |
| Limitations | ||
|---|---|---|
Hot Water | Kerosene | |
Alcohols | Non-polar Solvents | |
Alkalis | Halogenated Solvents | |
Ethers | Concentrated Acids | |
Glycols | Petroleum Oils | |
Esters | Aromatic Hydrocarbons | |
Amines | Aliphatic Hydrocarbons | |
Ketones | Mineral Oils | |
Steam | Common Fuels | |
Acids | Alternative Fuels |
| Limitations | |
|---|---|
| Polyurethane | Hot Water Alcohols Alkalis Ethers Glycols Esters Amines Ketones Steam Acids |
| EPDM | Kerosene Non-polar Solvents Halogenated Solvents Concentrated Acids Petroleum Oils Aromatic Hydrocarbons Aliphatic Hydrocarbons Mineral Oils Common Fuels Alternative Fuels |
Marco Rubber & Plastics is an industry leader in custom sealing solutions that go beyond the limits of catalog commodities. Since 1980, our solutions have delivered reliable, long-lasting success for customers worldwide. We offer the largest inventory of specialty and standard sealing solutions backed by best-in-class technology, service and support.
