There are numerous types of synthetic rubber, and here we will focus on the material differences between EPDM rubber, fluororubber, and perfluoroelastomer rubber.

EPDM Rubber

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) rubber, also known as ethylene propylene diene terpolymer, is a copolymer of ethylene, propylene, and a small amount of non-conjugated diene. It is a type of ethylene propylene rubber.

EPDM rubber is a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene, and non-conjugated diene, which began commercial production in 1963. The global annual consumption is 800,000 tons. The most notable characteristics of EPDM are its superior resistance to oxidation, ozone, and erosion. As EPDM belongs to the polyolefin (PO) family, it exhibits excellent vulcanization properties. Among all rubbers, EPDM has the lowest specific gravity and can absorb large amounts of fillers and oils with minimal impact on its properties, making it suitable for producing cost-effective rubber compounds.

EPDM is a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene, and non-conjugated diene. The diene has a unique structure, with only one of its double bonds participating in the copolymerization. The unsaturated double bond primarily serves as a cross-linking site, while the other unsaturated bond does not become part of the polymer main chain but instead forms a side chain. The main polymer chain of EPDM is fully saturated, which grants it resistance to heat, light, oxygen, and especially ozone. EPDM is inherently non-polar, resistant to polar solutions and chemicals, has low water absorption, and excellent insulation properties.

Advantages:

• Cost-effective: With a raw rubber density of only 0.86–0.90 g/cm³, it is the lightest among commonly used rubbers. It can also be heavily filled to reduce compound costs.
• Excellent aging resistance: Resistant to weathering, ozone, sunlight, heat, water, steam, UV, and radiation. When blended with other unsaturated diene rubbers like NR, SBR, BR, NBR, and CR, EPDM acts as a polymeric antioxidant or anti-aging agent.
• Superior chemical resistance: Resistant to acids, alkalis, detergents, animal and vegetable oils, alcohols, ketones, etc. It also exhibits outstanding resistance to water, hot water, and steam, as well as polar oils.
• Excellent insulation properties: Volume resistivity of 10¹⁶ Ω·cm, breakdown voltage of 30–40 MV/m, and dielectric constant (1 kHz, 20°C) of 2.27.
• Wide temperature range: Can be used at temperatures as low as -40 to -60°C and can operate long-term at 130°C.

Fluororubber

Fluororubber refers to synthetic elastomers with fluorine atoms attached to the carbon atoms in the main or side chains.

The introduction of fluorine atoms imparts exceptional heat resistance, oxidation resistance, oil resistance, corrosion resistance, and weather aging resistance to the rubber. It is widely used in aerospace, aviation, automotive, petroleum, and household appliance industries, making it an irreplaceable material in cutting-edge defense industries.

Since 1943, various types of fluororubber have been developed, including polyolefin-based fluororubber, nitroso fluororubber, tetrafluoroethylene-propylene rubber, phosphonitrile fluororubber, and perfluoroelastomer rubber.

Advantages:

• High stability: Fluororubber exhibits exceptional chemical stability, making it the best among all elastomers in terms of resistance to media.
• High-temperature resistance: Its high-temperature resistance is comparable to that of silicone rubber, ranking among the best in elastomers.
• Aging resistance: Fluororubber has excellent weather and ozone aging resistance.
• Vacuum performance: Performs well under vacuum conditions.
• Mechanical properties: Possesses excellent physical and mechanical properties.
• Electrical properties: Suitable for electrical applications.
• Low gas permeability: Although fluororubber has a high solubility for gases, its diffusion rate is low, resulting in overall low gas permeability.

Perfluoroelastomer Rubber

Perfluoroelastomer rubber is a terpolymer of perfluoro(methyl vinyl) ether, tetrafluoroethylene, and perfluoroalkoxy. It is also known as perfluororubber.

It combines the elasticity of rubber with the thermal and chemical stability of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It can operate long-term at temperatures ranging from -39 to 288°C, with short-term exposure up to 315°C. It remains pliable below its brittle temperature, being hard but not brittle, and can be bent. It is stable against all chemicals except for swelling in fluorinated solvents.

Advantages:

• Excellent chemical resistance: Can withstand attacks from up to 1,600 chemicals.
• High heat resistance: Can endure temperatures up to 300°C.

Our Product Configuration：

Most of our models use EPDM rubber. However, for high-temperature custom models, we offer FKM (fluororubber) options. Currently, customizable models include: 23, 25, 26, 30, 35, 50, 60, and 61.