EPDM Rubber Gaskets
Wayne Rubber manufactures custom EPDM rubber gaskets for water systems, steam lines, HVAC equipment, outdoor environments, and chemical processing applications. Available in compression molded, injection molded, and die-cut configurations across a full range of durometers and thicknesses — built to your exact dimensions and performance requirements.
Why EPDM for Gaskets?
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) is the dominant material choice for gaskets where water, steam, weathering, and ozone resistance are the primary concerns. Its chemically saturated backbone gives it outstanding resistance to oxidation, UV degradation, and aging — properties that most other elastomers cannot match at comparable cost.
In water and steam systems specifically, EPDM outperforms nitrile and neoprene because it does not absorb water or swell in aqueous environments. It maintains a reliable seal across a wide temperature range and resists the growth of bacteria and fungi, making it suitable for potable water and food processing lines.
The key limitation of EPDM is its poor resistance to petroleum-based oils and fuels. For applications involving mineral oil, hydraulic fluid, or fuel, nitrile (NBR) or FKM are the appropriate choices. If your application involves both water and oil exposure, contact Wayne Rubber’s engineering team to evaluate the right compound.
For a full chemical compatibility review of EPDM and all other elastomers, use our Chemical Resistance & Material Selection Guide.
EPDM Gasket Material Specifications
Standard EPDM compound properties for gasket applications. Wayne Rubber can formulate custom EPDM compounds outside these ranges for specialty requirements including higher temperature service, FDA compliance, or peroxide-cured grades.
| Property | Standard Value / Range |
|---|---|
| Temperature Range | −65°F to +300°F (−54°C to +149°C) Intermittent to +325°F (+163°C) for peroxide-cured grades |
| Hardness (Durometer) | 40 to 90 Shore A Standard grade: 60 or 70 Shore A |
| Tensile Strength | 1,000 – 2,500 psi (typical) |
| Elongation at Break | 200% – 450% |
| Compression Set | Good to Excellent (peroxide-cured grades superior) |
| Color | Black (standard) — custom colors available |
| ASTM Designation | ASTM D-2000 Class M2BA (standard grades) |
| FDA Compliance | Available — FDA 21 CFR-compliant EPDM grades upon request |
| Ozone Resistance | Excellent |
| UV / Weather Resistance | Excellent |
| Water & Steam Resistance | Excellent |
| Oil / Fuel Resistance | Poor — not recommended for petroleum-based fluid contact |
EPDM Gasket Types & Manufacturing Methods
Wayne Rubber manufactures EPDM gaskets using multiple methods depending on geometry, tolerance requirements, volume, and application. The right process depends on your part design — our engineering team will recommend the most cost-effective approach.
Ideal for medium-to-high volume production of consistent cross-sections. Best for gaskets with uniform profiles and moderate geometric complexity. Produces excellent material density and dimensional consistency.
Used for complex geometries, tight tolerances, and high-volume applications. Provides superior dimensional repeatability and minimal flash. Well-suited for gaskets requiring features like ribs, lips, or integrated sealing beads.
Cut from EPDM sheet stock in standard thicknesses from 1/16″ to 1/4″. Cost-effective for flat gasket profiles and prototype quantities. Available with or without pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) backing for ease of installation.
EPDM bonded directly to metal substrates for applications requiring structural rigidity combined with sealing or vibration damping. Common in automotive, HVAC, and industrial equipment housings.
Open-cell and closed-cell EPDM sponge for low-closure-force sealing applications. Compresses under minimal load to create an effective seal on irregular or uneven mating surfaces. Common in HVAC panels and enclosure doors.
Preferred for gaskets requiring metal inserts, over-molds, or precise material placement around inserts or bonded hardware. Combines the dimensional control of injection molding with tooling cost efficiency.
EPDM Gasket Applications by Industry
EPDM is the dominant gasket material in applications involving water, steam, outdoor exposure, and weather sealing. Industries that rely on EPDM gaskets most heavily include:
EPDM vs. Other Gasket Materials
EPDM is the right choice for water, steam, and outdoor applications but not for oil or fuel exposure. This comparison covers the most common gasket material alternatives to help you confirm EPDM is the right specification — or identify when another compound would perform better.
| Property | EPDM | Nitrile (NBR) | Neoprene (CR) | FKM (Viton) | Silicone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water / Steam | ✓ Excellent | ▶ Fair | ▶ Good | ▶ Good | ✓ Excellent |
| Petroleum Oils & Fuels | ✗ Poor | ✓ Excellent | ▶ Good | ✓ Excellent | ✗ Poor |
| Ozone & UV | ✓ Excellent | ✗ Poor | ✓ Excellent | ✓ Excellent | ✓ Excellent |
| Temperature Range | −65 to +300°F | −40 to +250°F | −40 to +250°F | −15 to +400°F | −75 to +450°F |
| Dilute Acids & Alkalis | ✓ Excellent | ▶ Good | ▶ Good | ✓ Excellent | ▶ Fair |
| FDA Compliance | ✓ Available | ✓ Available | ▶ Limited | ✓ Available | ✓ Available |
| Relative Cost | Low – Medium | Low – Medium | Medium | High | Medium – High |
EPDM Gasket Manufacturing at Wayne Rubber
Custom Engineering Support
Wayne Rubber works directly with engineers during the design phase to select the right EPDM grade and manufacturing process for your application. We review drawings, advise on tolerances, and recommend compound formulations based on your operating environment — before tooling is cut.
In-House Compound Formulation
We develop and mix EPDM compounds in-house, giving us the ability to tailor hardness, compression set, temperature performance, and compliance characteristics to your specification. Standard, FDA-compliant, peroxide-cured, and custom-compounded grades are all available. See our full EPDM material page for details.
Compression, Transfer & Injection Molding
All three major rubber molding processes are available in-house. This lets us match the manufacturing method to your part geometry, volume, and cost targets without outsourcing any process step. Learn more on our Capabilities page.
Quality & Testing
Every EPDM gasket batch is tested against mechanical and dimensional specifications before shipment. We support ASTM, ISO, and MIL test standards and can provide full compliance documentation. Our rubber testing capabilities cover tensile strength, elongation, compression set, hardness, and environmental aging.
Volume Flexibility
Wayne Rubber supports prototype quantities through high-volume production runs. Whether you need 50 development parts or 500,000 production units, our process is structured to deliver consistent quality at your required volume.
Request a Quote for Custom EPDM Gaskets
Send us your drawing, describe your application, or request a sample. Wayne Rubber’s engineering team will respond with material recommendations and a quote.