Mixed Industrial Uses

Outdoor application? Consider EPDM.

Chemical stability & Wide temperature range are crucial? Silicone is a great fit.

Oil or grease resistance is important? NBR may be your best option.

There’s a lot of advantages and options available when it comes to choosing Silicone, EPDM, or NBR for your industrial applications. Read more below for some additional details.

Whatever your needs are Stem Design can deliver your sample in weeks to prove your concept quickly and under budget.

Comparison Table of Different Rubbers:

NBR vs EPDM vs Silicone

"NBR" Rubber

Nitrile Butadiene Rubber

Oil and Grease Resistant.
High Tensile Strength and Low Compression
Strong Abrasion Resistance
Limited Color options (usually black) so used where appearance is not as critical (Gaskets, seals, etc.)

EPDM

Ethyl Propylene DIene Monomer

Great for Outdoor Applications. Withstands sunlight, ozone, UV rays, water, rain and oxidization without becoming brittle.
Not well suited for contact with Oil or Grease.
Weather-proofing, window seals, HVAC applications.

Silicone Rubber

Affordable & Reliable

Wide Temperature Range
Not as Strong or Abrasion Resistant as NBR but still good enough for many gasket and seal applications.
Available in wider variety of colors and durometers, so good option for keypads and buttons.