What is ethylene propylene diene monomer?
Ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, abbreviated to EPDM, is a synthetic rubber made from ethylene, propylene and a small proportion of diene. EPDM rubber granules are produced by crushing a vulcanised rubber compound based on EPDM and are used chiefly for coloured, weather-resistant surfaces.
For these surfaces, the diene content provides sites at which the polymer chains crosslink during vulcanisation, forming an elastic network. The composition and degree of crosslinking determine hardness, elasticity, resistance to heat and cold, and chemical resistance. EPDM has a largely saturated main chain and offers high resistance to ozone, UV radiation and ageing. It remains elastic in cold conditions and is resistant to water, dilute acids and dilute alkalis. Mineral oils and fuels can cause EPDM to swell.
Alongside these material properties, the coloured EPDM rubber granules used by WARCO are newly manufactured. Colour is incorporated into the rubber compound, so each granule is coloured throughout its cross-section.
The through-coloured EPDM rubber granules form the coloured wearing layer of two-layer patio tiles, balcony tiles, fitness tiles and safety surfacing tiles. An elastic backing layer of PU-bound ELT rubber granules sits beneath the EPDM wearing layer.