The Pros and Cons of TPE and EPDM
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In this article we would like to present an interesting and up-to date information on the properties, specifications and comparisons of the weathestripping materials made of TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) and EPDM (ethylenepropylene rubber, specifically, a rubber made of this material) for windows, doors and other systems.
Let's start from the TPE-based materials:
The TPE-based weatherstripping materials are tear-resistant and are not vulnerable to impacts of the alkali, acids and domestic detergents. The TPE-material is not flammable or toxic, and is a good insulator with a low conductivity. The TPE is made of the interpolymers of the styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene. Consequently, the weatherstipping sections made of TPE, having the properties of 'volcanized rubber', can be manufactured in a wide color range. The weatherstripping elements manufactured from the TPE, have occupied a segment in the field of the PVC windows installation. They are cheaper than the EPDM weatherstrippers, which is important under conditions of the ailing economy. The TPE materials is easily recycled, and unlike EPDM, it is easier for manufacturing, its production requires more expenses.
Disatvantages:
' mechanical properties strongly depend on the temperature (heat/cold), under low temperatures conditions the TPE weatherstripping 'solidifies', while under high temperatures it 'softens'.
' bad elastic properties, and, consequently, a high residual deformation
' low resilience to ultraviolet impact
' low mechanical resistance
' lowresiliencetoweatherimpacts
' welding in the corners of the window section (PVC windows), small bending radius of the weatherstripping
Advantages:
' does not sustain combustion
' wide color range
And now let's discuss the EPDM:
Nowadays different research institutions assess the quality of the EPDM weatherstripping materials higher than the TPE-based ones. The EPDM weatherstripping materials have the operating temperature range from -60 to +', have low sensitivity to ultraviolet, ozone impacts, and to quick cyclic changes of temperatures, they show high mechanical properties and resilience to mechanical impacts. Under the low indices of the permanent deformation, the elasticity of the EPDM-weatherstripping materials can be preserved during a long period of deployment (i.e., the operational lifetime of the EPDM is much higher than the operational lifetime of the TPE, and reach up to 20 years, while the maximum term of guarantee for the TPE is up to 5 years). The EPDM weatherstipping materials do not leave any markings on the working surfaces, since they do not have a contact discoloration.
Disadvantages:
' the non-weldable seald
' the colored weatherstripping materials are more expensive than the black ones
Advantages:
' big tolerance spaces in the opening
' research institutions assess the quality of the EPDM weatherstripping materials higher than the TPE-based ones
' operating temperature range from -60 to + '
' low sensitivity to quick cyclic changes of temperatures
' low sensitivity to ultraviolet, ozone impacts
' highresiliencetomechanicalimpacts
' high elasticity of the EPDM-weatherstripping materials can be preserved during a long period of deployment, low indices of the permanent deformation
' 40 ' 90 hardness in the Shore range
' highlifetimeratio
' tightcornersundercontinuousextensionoftherubber, smallbendingradius
Let's try to make conclusions:
The TPE weatherstripping materials significantly lack the elasticity, resilience to the ultraviolet radiation of the EPDM, have a high permanent deformation and small temperature range of deployment.
It means that the term of deployment of windows (and other systems) with using of the EPDM weatherstripping is much longer than that of TPE. Serious problems with the TPE weatherstripping arise during winter, when the temperature is lower than -20'. This fact was confirm during the cold winter of . Number of complaints to manufacturers of the windows with TPE weatherstripping have gone beyond any reasonable limits. The TPE weatherstripping lost their elasticity during cold weather and turned into rugged layer between the window frame and casement, which consequently led to the loss of air tightness of the window.
3. It should be noted that the simple repair works for changing the weatherstripping in case of use of the TPE could lead to the need of replacement of the whole window casement. The TPE weatherstripping is welded into the section in the corners of the casement, and thus the dismantling of the weatherstripping becomes laborious, and can lead to deterioration of the casement. In case of the EPDM weatherstripping, the repair works require only a few minutes.
4. Installation of the impost with the TPE weatherstripping becomes more complicated, since it is necessary to remove or cut out the weatherstripping from the window frame in the zones of intersection of the impost with the window frame, which decreases the efficacy of labor.
Materials of questionable quality can be offered under the TPE name, for instance, the PVC-compositions modified with rubber. Actually, that PVC is the TPE-based, but 'all that glitters is not gold'.
The weatherstripping made of such materials can lead to unexpected consequences during installation. At first sight of a person who is not familiar with this field, the black weatherstripping made of TPE and EPD can seem identical when he sees or touches it. But there is an easy way to define whether the weatherstripping is made of EPDM or TEP. You can expose a piece of weatherstripping to the open fire; if it is made of TEP, it will start melting and 'flowing', and will immediately cool down, like a candle wax. If it is made of EPDM, it can burn and there will be combustion products (such as soot and others).
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit TPE Weatherstrip.
P.S. When writing this article, we partly used the open-source materials, such as :
https://www.rks.ru/stat/uplot.html
https://termopol.net/articles/32
https://www.rusplast.com/articles//
EPDM gaskets vs. TPE gaskets is a comparison that designers of environmental seals need to make. Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) both resist water, weather, ozone, and sunlight. These gasket materials also withstand a wide range of outdoor temperatures and are available in compounds that meet specific industry standards, such as for flammability. Both EPDM and TPE come in sponge and solid profiles and support the same gasket fabrication processes.
Contact Elasto Proxy if you're a manufacturer who is comparing EPDM gaskets vs. TPE gaskets and need low-to-medium volumes. We are a custom fabricator that uses water jet cutting to cut sheet materials and profiles with speed and precision. There's no tooling to wait for or pay for, and we also offer value-added services such as kitting, custom packaging, and parts marking. As this article demonstrates, Elasto Proxy can also help you with material selection.
EPDM Gaskets
EPDM gaskets are made of a synthetic, weather-resistant elastomer that is a traditional choice for door and window seals. EPDM exhibits superior resistance to ultraviolet (UV) light and maintains its flexibility at low temperatures, a concern in cold-weather climates. EPDM gaskets can have a steel core for reinforcement but also offer a high degree of electrical insulation. For greater compressibility than solid seals can provide, EPDM foam rubber in hollow shapes can be used for gasketing.
The typical working temperature range for EPDM gaskets is from -50°F to +300°F (-45°C to 150°C) and up to +355°F (+180°C) in steam. The table blow describes EPDM's main properties.
Compression Set
Good
Strength Properties
Good
Low Temperature Properties
Good
Abrasion Resistance
Good
Gas Permeability
Fair
Weather Resistance
Excellent
Ozone Resistance
Excellent
Chemical Resistance
Good
Heat Resistance
Excellent
Flame Resistance
Poor
Elasto Proxy offers fire-rated EPDM bulb trim, a type of gasketing, that meets transportation industry requirements for flame, smoke, and toxicity (FST). These fire-resistant gasket materials are ideal for mass transit vehicles such as buses, subways, and railcars. EPDM gaskets are also available in compounds that provide UL 94 flame resistance.
EPDM costs less than TPE, but EPDM rubber is not recyclable. For sustainability and other important reasons, some manufacturers are now replacing EPDM with TPE. Let's take a look at TPE's other benefits.
TPE gaskets are made of a group of rubber-like materials that combine the processing strengths of thermoplastics with the flexibility of thermoset rubbers. ISO : establishes six classes of TPEs based on their main ingredients.
Although most EPDM profiles are black, TPE profiles are available in just about any color you can imagine ' including metallic and translucent colors. Custom colors support distinctive designs, but profiles with multiple or different colors also offer operational advantages and can promote efficiency.
For example, a TPE profile with multiple colors can use one of the colors as a visual cue to show installers where to drill holes. To support stocking and picking, manufacturer can buy smaller profiles in one color and larger profiles in another.
TPE gaskets are also a good choice if you need recyclable materials or fully non-metal parts. Instead of a steel core, TPE seals from Elasto Proxy can use solid interior plastic. TPE's advantages also include flexibility, shock absorption, and slip, weather, and ozone resistance.
In addition to their higher cost, the disadvantages of TPE gaskets include their relatively poor recovery when exposed to heat and compression.
Elasto Proxy can help you to analyze your application requirements and compare EPDM gaskets vs. TPE gaskets across parameters such as cost, environmental resistance, and sustainability. If you're a manufacturer who needs help comparing EPDM gaskets vs. TPE gaskets, contact us.
For more information, please visit EPDM Rubber Seals.