O-rings are also small parts that are widely used in sealing to minimize leakage in different organizations. EPDM and nitrile are two well-known materials used for O-rings. They all have qualities that qualify them for certain uses, I am not very familiar with all these types of glass. Now that we understand each of these compounds let us look at how nitrile and EPDM O-rings compare so that you can make a proper selection.

 

What Are Nitrile O-Rings?

Nitrile Rubber O Ring Cord is made from nitrile rubber. The most commonly used type is known as nitrile O-rings.

 

Key Properties:

     Oil, fuel, and hydraulic fluids resistant.

     The felt shows good tensile strength and flexibility.

     Mechanically suitable for use in conditions that range between minus forty degrees Celsius and one hundred twenty degrees Celsius, minus forty degrees Fahrenheit to two hundred and forty-eight degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Common Applications:

     Automotive fuel systems.

     Hydraulic and pneumatic type seals.

     Industrial machinery.

Advantages:

Nitrile O-rings are the lowest cost and are best suited for oil related applications.

Disadvantages:

They are not for use under conditions of exposure to ozone, UV light or other weather elements.

 

What Are EPDM O-Rings?

EPDM O-rings/EPDM O Ring Cords are seals produced with ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber.

 

Key Properties:

•      Weather, ozone, and UV light resistance are very high.
•      Resistance to a particular steam, water, and several chemicals.
•      Measured its performance in a range of -50°C to 150°C (-58°F to 302°F).

 

Common Applications:

•      Outdoor equipment, car weather strip.
•      Water and steam systems.
•      HVAC systems.

 

Advantages:

It exhibits excellent performance in outdoor and high-temperature applications making EPDM O-rings suitable for these applications.

Disadvantages:

They are not immune to oil, gasoline, or any hydrocarbon-based fluids.

Comparison of Nitrile and EPDM O-Rings

Feature	Nitrile	EPDM
Oil Resistance	Excellent	Poor
Weather Resistance	Poor	Excellent
Temperature Range	-40°C to 120°C	-50°C to 150°C
Durability in Steam/Water	Moderate	Excellent
UV and Ozone Resistance	Poor	Excellent

 

O-Rings: How to Make the Right Selection

Application Environment:

     In oil and fuel applications, always prefer nitrile O-rings.

     EPDM O-rings are most suitable for outdoor or waterway applications.

 

Temperature Requirements:

     EPDM functions well in higher and lower temperatures than nitrile.

 

Cost Considerations:

     Nitrile is cheaper compared to EPDM however Epdm might serve longer in unfavorable conditions.

 

Chemical Exposure:

     In the case of hydrocarbons, the best type of base stock is nitrile.

     While it may be only slightly better than other materials in use for the reducing acid atmosphere, for oxidizing chemicals and steam, it is greatly superior.

Conclusion:

As mentioned in the material section there are two types of O-rings; nitrile and EPDM O-rings from which EPDM O-rings are suited for specific applications and Nitrile O-rings are suited for some other applications. Nitrile is best suited to oil and fuel applications, while the EPDM rubber is highly suited for outside and water-related applications. It is easier to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each helping to arrive at the most optimal performance and durability when required.