Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPM) is a synthetic rubber used for insulation, seals, and belts. It has two grades with different saturation levels and is resistant to heat, weather, solvents, and ozone. EPM is a copolymer of ethylene and propylene, while EPDM is a terpolymer with unsaturated sections. It is commonly used in car seals, cable insulation, and industrial products due to its strength and durability. Ethylene Propylene Rubber can also be mixed with other polymers to harden them.
Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPM) is a synthetic rubber that is widely used as insulation for cables, garden hoses, automobile seals and industrial belts. While Ethylene Propylene Rubber is treated as a single product, there are two grades; one is fully saturated, while the other has some remaining unsaturation. Besides being relatively easy to produce, there are many advantages to using ethylene propylene over natural rubber. It is resistant to heat, weather, solvents, oxidation and ozone, making it versatile and useful for most industries. It can also be used to harden other polymer structures, but is most often used on its own.
The term “Ethylene Propylene Rubber” refers not to one polymer, but to two polymers whose main difference is the amount of chemical saturation in each. EPM is a copolymer created from monomer structures of ethylene and propylene. The entire structure is saturated, so radiation or compounds with free radicals must be used to create EPM. Separated EPDM is a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene and diene. The main structure is saturated, but there are unsaturated sections that are commonly cured with sulfur; this makes it easier to work with EPDM chemically, because it will be more willing to interact with other substances.
The use of EPM can be found in many of the places where natural rubber is found. Among the most common uses, thanks to its advantages, are sealing strips in cars, cable insulation, rubber-based mechanical products and industrial belts and pipes. Places where ethylene propylene is found and rubber cannot be used include thermoplastic vulcanizates, plastic impact modifiers, and as a motor oil additive.
Just like rubber, EPM is very elastic and strong. There are also many other benefits offered to Ethylene Propylene which makes it versatile and able to be used for many applications. It is resistant to both high temperatures and electricity and is not consumed by the weathering of water, oxygen, acids or bases due to its heavily saturated nature. Ethylene Propylene is also good against abrasives and has little oil swelling.
It is fully saturated, so Ethylene Propylene Rubber is very strong and durable against most external forces. These advantages are sometimes applied to other polymer compounds by mixing ethylene propylene with other polymers to harden them. While useful when coupled with other polymers, ethylene propylene is often used as-is, without being blended.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
