Overview
EPDM gaskets are versatile elastomeric sealing components widely used in HVAC, water treatment, automotive, and construction applications. Manufactured from ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, these gaskets offer excellent resistance to weathering, ozone, UV radiation, and water, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor sealing applications. OrroMFG produces high-quality EPDM gaskets in a comprehensive range of sizes, shapes, and hardness grades to meet diverse industrial sealing requirements with reliable, long-lasting performance.
Our EPDM gasket product portfolio includes solid EPDM gaskets, sponge EPDM gaskets, and FDA-compliant food-grade EPDM gaskets, each formulated for specific application demands. We manufacture standard flange gaskets, custom die-cut gaskets, extruded gasket profiles, and molded gaskets using advanced production techniques to ensure consistent quality and precise dimensions. EPDM gaskets are particularly valued for their excellent water resistance, low compression set, and superior weathering performance, making them the preferred choice for plumbing, roofing, HVAC, and outdoor equipment applications. All our EPDM compounds are carefully formulated to meet or exceed industry standards such as ASTM D2000, FDA 21 CFR 177.2600, and WRAS approval for potable water applications.
Key Features
- Excellent Weathering Resistance: Outstanding resistance to ozone, UV radiation, and outdoor weathering, ensuring years of reliable service in exterior applications.
- Superior Water Resistance: Excellent resistance to water, steam, and aqueous solutions, making them ideal for plumbing and water treatment systems.
- Wide Temperature Range: Continuous service from -50°C to +150°C (-58°F to +302°F), with special grades rated to +180°C.
- Good Chemical Resistance: Resistant to polar fluids, alcohols, glycols, dilute acids, and alkalis.
- Low Compression Set: Maintains sealing force over extended service life with minimal permanent deformation under compression.
- FDA-Compliant Grades: Food-grade EPDM formulations meet FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 requirements for food contact applications.
Material Specifications
| Property | Standard EPDM | High-Temp EPDM | FDA-Grade EPDM | Sponge EPDM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (Shore A) | 50 - 80 | 60 - 80 | 50 - 70 | 10 - 40 |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 7 - 15 | 8 - 12 | 8 - 12 | 0.5 - 3 |
| Elongation at Break (%) | 200 - 500 | 200 - 400 | 300 - 500 | 100 - 400 |
| Tear Strength (kN/m) | 15 - 30 | 15 - 25 | 20 - 35 | 2 - 10 |
| Compression Set (%) | ≤ 25 | ≤ 30 | ≤ 20 | ≤ 35 |
| Service Temp Range (°C) | -50 to +150 | -40 to +180 | -40 to +120 | -40 to +120 |
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.10 - 1.25 | 1.15 - 1.30 | 1.08 - 1.18 | 0.3 - 0.9 |
| Volume Swell in Water (%) | ≤ 3 | ≤ 3 | ≤ 2 | ≤ 5 |
| Volume Swell in IRM 903 (%) | 40 - 100 | 30 - 80 | 50 - 100 | - |
| Ozone Resistance (pphm·hrs) | > 100,000 | > 100,000 | > 100,000 | > 50,000 |
Applications
HVAC and Refrigeration
EPDM gaskets are extensively used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for sealing ductwork, air handlers, heat exchangers, cooling towers, and refrigeration equipment. They provide reliable sealing for air ducts, pipe flanges, pump housings, and fan housings. Their excellent weathering resistance makes them ideal for rooftop HVAC units and outdoor refrigeration systems. Sponge EPDM gaskets are commonly used for air sealing applications where compression conformability is required.
Water and Wastewater Treatment
EPDM gaskets are the standard choice for water treatment plants, distribution systems, and wastewater treatment facilities. They are used in pipe flanges, pump connections, valve bonnets, filter housings, and sedimentation tanks. WRAS-approved and NSF 61 certified EPDM gaskets are required for potable water systems, ensuring safe drinking water delivery. EPDM’s excellent resistance to water, chlorine, and treatment chemicals makes it the preferred elastomer for water infrastructure applications.
Plumbing and Construction
In plumbing systems and building construction, EPDM gaskets provide reliable sealing for pipe connections, flange joints, manhole covers, roof penetrations, and window and door seals. EPDM’s exceptional weathering resistance ensures long-term performance in exterior building applications. EPDM roofing membranes and flashings are widely used in commercial construction for their durability and UV resistance.
Automotive Industry
EPDM gaskets are used throughout the automotive industry for sealing applications including cooling system hoses, heater cores, radiator connections, weatherstripping, window seals, door seals, and brake system components. Their resistance to heat, ozone, and weathering makes them suitable for under-hood and exterior automotive applications.
Food and Beverage
FDA-compliant food-grade EPDM gaskets are used in food and beverage processing equipment for applications involving water-based products, non-fatty foods, and cleaning solutions. They are found in dairy processing equipment, beverage filling lines, fruit and vegetable processing, and CIP (clean-in-place) systems where resistance to hot water and caustic cleaning agents is required.
Operating Conditions
- Temperature Range: -50°C to +150°C (-58°F to +302°F) standard; high-temperature grades up to +180°C; low-temperature grades down to -60°C
- Pressure Range: Up to 40 bar (580 psi) static sealing; up to 20 bar (290 psi) dynamic sealing
- Weathering Resistance: Excellent; suitable for continuous outdoor exposure with minimal degradation
- Media Compatibility: Water, steam (up to 150°C), alcohols, glycols, dilute acids and bases, ketones, ozone, UV radiation, brake fluids, phosphate esters
- Not Recommended For: Petroleum oils, gasoline, diesel fuel, aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated solvents, concentrated mineral acids
- Water Compatibility: Excellent; suitable for potable water (WRAS/NSF 61 approved grades available)
- Steam Compatibility: Good for saturated steam up to 150°C
Material Comparison
| Material | Weathering/Ozone | Water Resistance | Temp Range | Oil Resistance | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPDM | Excellent | Excellent | -50 to +150°C | Poor | Low-Medium | Outdoor, water service, HVAC, plumbing |
| NBR (Nitrile) | Poor | Good | -30 to +120°C | Excellent | Low | Petroleum oils, general industrial indoor |
| Silicone (VMQ) | Excellent | Good | -60 to +230°C | Poor | Medium | Food/pharma, extreme temperatures, medical |
| Viton (FKM) | Good | Fair | -20 to +200°C | Excellent | High | Aggressive chemicals, high-temp oil service |
| PTFE | Excellent | Excellent | -200 to +260°C | Excellent | Medium-High | Extreme chemicals, wide temp range, high purity |
| Neoprene (CR) | Good | Good | -30 to +110°C | Fair | Low-Medium | General purpose, moderate weathering |
Choose EPDM gaskets when:
- Outdoor exposure with UV and ozone resistance is required
- The primary sealing media is water or aqueous solutions
- Wide temperature range flexibility is needed
- Low compression set and long service life are important
- Cost-effective sealing for general-purpose water/air applications
Customization Options
- Material Grades: Standard EPDM, high-temperature EPDM, FDA food-grade EPDM, WRAS-approved EPDM, low-compression-set EPDM, sponge/foam EPDM, fire-resistant EPDM
- Hardness Range: 30 Shore A to 90 Shore A (solid); 10-40 Asker C (sponge)
- Gasket Types: Full-face flange gaskets, ring gaskets, die-cut gaskets, molded gaskets, extruded profile gaskets, bonded gaskets, and rubber-to-metal bonded gaskets
- Size Range: 5mm to 3000mm diameter; custom sizes and shapes available
- Flange Standards: ASME B16.5, EN 1092, DIN, JIS, BS, and custom bolt patterns
- Thickness Options: 1.0mm, 1.5mm, 2.0mm, 3.0mm, 5.0mm, 6.0mm, and custom thicknesses
- Color Options: Black (standard), white, gray, red, blue, green, and custom colors for identification
- Surface Treatments: Self-adhesive backing, fabric reinforcement, PTFE coating, and release liners
- Custom Profiles: Extruded profiles including D-sections, P-sections, U-channels, bulb seals, and complex custom geometries
Quality Assurance
OrroMFG maintains rigorous quality control standards throughout the EPDM gasket manufacturing process. Our ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system ensures consistent product quality from raw material receipt through final inspection and shipment. We source all EPDM compounds from reputable suppliers with full material certification and conduct incoming material testing to verify compliance with our specifications.
Each production lot undergoes comprehensive quality testing including dimensional verification, hardness testing per ASTM D2240, tensile strength and elongation testing per ASTM D412, tear strength testing per ASTM D624, and compression set testing per ASTM D395. We also perform accelerated aging testing, ozone resistance testing, and fluid immersion testing for application-specific validation. Food-grade and potable water grades come with FDA compliance declarations, WRAS approval certificates, or NSF 61 certification as applicable. All gaskets are supplied with material test certificates, inspection reports, and full batch traceability documentation. Our commitment to quality ensures that every EPDM gasket we produce meets or exceeds customer expectations for performance, durability, and reliability.
