How to Bond EPDM Rubber
Bonding EPDM Rubber
EPDM rubber (short for its components: Ethylene, Propylene, Diene, and Monomer) is a synthetic rubber type suitable for both indoor and outdoor use due to its excellent resistance to weather conditions, particularly UV rays from the sun. It remains flexible down to -45ºC. It can be manufactured in a wide range of hardness levels, making it attractive for many applications. It is widely used in the construction and transportation industries, commonly appearing in window flashing, sealing strips, or gaskets.
Bonding
For optimal adhesion, surfaces should always be cleaned before bonding.
EPDM rubber has a surface tension of 25 mN/m, which is relatively low—lower than most adhesive types. Surface treatment, such as plasma treatment, can raise the surface tension of EPDM rubber up to around 50 mN/m. Alternatively, a primer liquid can be used to alter the surface tension of the rubber.
As a general recommendation, one of the following two special adhesives with high adhesion to EPDM rubber is advised:
Permalock CA 30 cyanoacrylate adhesive. This adhesive offers many advantages: it is easy to apply, has good heat resistance, a long open time, and cures in just a few seconds. Note that not all super glues work equally well on EPDM rubber—only those specifically designed for EPDM provide strong adhesion.
Certain two-component MS polymer adhesives are also formulated for rubber materials. These require a larger adhesive joint and are therefore recommended for more extensive applications. These adhesives can be painted over and cure even under water. However, be aware of their relatively low heat resistance. Again, not all 2-component MS polymer adhesives bond well to EPDM rubber. A good example is Permalock MS 66.
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