Rubber questions,
straight answers.

EPDM vs. Neoprene Rubber: Which Should You Use?

Pick EPDM when the part lives outdoors or sees ozone and heat; it serves from -40°F to 270°F. Pick neoprene when the part must bond to metal or work in a general industrial setting; it serves from -30°F to 250°F. We cut both to spec.

EPDM is a synthetic rubber that resists heat, ozone and chemicals. That makes it ideal for insulation, gaskets and outdoor applications. It serves from -40°F to 270°F.

Neoprene is a versatile option known for its temperature resistance and strong adhesion to metals. It is well suited to industrial and hazardous environments. It serves from -30°F to 250°F.

The short rule: pick EPDM for outdoor exposure and ozone resistance. Pick neoprene when the part must bond to metal or work in a general industrial setting. We cut both to your exact width, Duro and thickness.

What Durometer Rubber Should I Use for a Gasket?

Durometer (Duro) measures rubber hardness on the Shore A scale, and our rolls and sheets run from 35° to 85° Shore A. Softer gaskets compress more and seal uneven flanges with less bolt load. Harder gaskets hold their shape under high pressure. Most flange gaskets land mid-range.

A softer gasket compresses more. It follows uneven flange surfaces and seals with less bolt load. A harder gasket holds its shape and resists crush and wear under high pressure.

Most flange gaskets land in the middle of the range. If you are not sure, tell us the application. Every roll is made to order — we cut to your exact width, Duro and thickness.

White EPDM vs. Black EPDM Rubber Sheet

Our standard EPDM sheet is black. It resists heat, ozone and chemicals, serves from -40°F to 270°F, and suits insulation, gaskets and outdoor work. White sheet is usually chosen for food and beverage jobs, where a clean, non-marking surface matters. Ask us if you need white EPDM.

White sheet is usually chosen for food and beverage work, where a non-marking, clean surface matters. For those jobs we also offer silicone — non-toxic and odorless, with excellent resistance to ozone, acids and water.

Need white EPDM specifically? Ask us. Every order is made to spec, so tell us the color, width, Duro and thickness you need and we will quote it.

EPDM Rubber Sheet Temperature Range

Our EPDM rubber sheet serves from -40°F to 270°F. That is the lowest cold-temperature limit of our six core compounds, which is why EPDM is our first pick for outdoor gaskets and insulation. It also resists heat, ozone and chemicals across that whole range.

How that compares across our line:

• EPDM: -40°F to 270°F
• Silicone: 95°F to 430°F
• Neoprene: -30°F to 250°F
• Nitrile: -30°F to 250°F
• Viton: -30°F to 540°F
• SBR: -20°C to 80°C

EPDM also resists heat, ozone and chemicals. That combination is why it is our first pick for insulation, gaskets and outdoor applications.

Nitrile vs. EPDM: Which Rubber Is Better for Oil?

For oil, the answer is nitrile. Nitrile is designed for hydrocarbon-based applications and resists solvents, gasoline and oils, which makes it a natural fit for sealing. EPDM handles heat, ozone and weather instead, so oil and fuel contact stays nitrile territory. Tell us the fluid your part touches.

EPDM is a strong compound in its own lane — it resists heat, ozone and chemicals, and it excels in insulation, gaskets and outdoor applications. But oil and fuel contact is nitrile territory.

Both compounds serve similar temperatures: nitrile from -30°F to 250°F, EPDM from -40°F to 270°F. Tell us the fluid your part touches and we will cut the right sheet to spec.

What Is the Best Rubber for Outdoor Gaskets?

Our answer is EPDM. It is UV and ozone resistant, ideal for insulation, gaskets and outdoor applications, and its -40°F to 270°F service range covers weather extremes on either end. If the gasket must also bond to metal, consider neoprene instead.

If your outdoor gasket must also bond to metal in an industrial assembly, consider neoprene — known for temperature resistance and strong adhesion to metals.

Whichever compound fits, we cut every roll to your exact width, Duro and thickness.

How to Choose the Right Rubber Sheet for Your Application

Start with the environment the sheet will live in. Each compound we stock is engineered for a specific job — heat, oil, ozone, steam or food contact — and the right pick follows from that. Then set your dimensions: every roll is made to order in your exact width, Duro and thickness. Here is the short version:

• Silicone — high-temperature work (95°F to 430°F). Non-toxic and odorless, perfect for food and beverage.
• Neoprene — temperature resistance and strong adhesion to metals. Suited to industrial and hazardous environments.
• Nitrile — hydrocarbon-based applications. Resists solvents, gasoline and oils.
• EPDM — insulation, gaskets and outdoor applications. Resists heat, ozone and chemicals.
• Viton — extreme conditions (-30°F to 540°F). Unmatched resistance to high temperatures and chemicals.
• SBR with fabric insertion — highly durable. Withstands water, steam, dust and sand.

Then set your dimensions. Every roll is made to order in your exact width, Duro (35°–85° Shore A) and thickness.

Getting a quote is simple: click "Get a Quote," upload your spec sheet and details, and receive a detailed quote with accurate lead times.

70 Durometer vs. 60 Durometer Rubber

Both hardnesses sit in the middle of our 35° to 85° Shore A range, and both are common gasket choices. The difference is compression: 60 Duro conforms to uneven mating surfaces and seals with less bolt load, while 70 Duro holds its shape and wears longer under pressure.

60 Duro is the softer of the two. It compresses more and conforms to uneven mating surfaces, so it seals with less clamping force.

70 Duro is harder. It holds its shape under pressure and stands up better to abrasion and wear.

You are not locked to either number. We cut every roll to your exact Duro, width and thickness — tell us the application and we will recommend a hardness.