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EPDM and Resorcinol: Chemical Resistance

Ethylene propylene diene rubber

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
5 %C*–
saturatedC*–

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Material comparison at 20 °C

Resorcinol: Material comparison at 20 °CEPDM: C (highlighted); ECTFE/ETFE: A; FEP: A; HDPE: A; LDPE: A; PMP: A.ECTFE/ETFE: AFEP: AHDPE: ALDPE: APMP: APP: APTFE: AAluminium: BPolycarbonate: BPolystyrene: BPVC Rigid: BEPDM: CEPDMViton (FPM): CNBR: CAcetal (POM): CPVDF: CSAN: CNylon (PA): DPolysulfone: DPETG: –PVC Flexible: –Silicone: –SS 304: –SS 316: –
A very good resistanceB good resistanceC limited resistanceD not resistantno data
Each bar is one material. Taller bars indicate better resistance. The highlighted bar is the current material.

Resistance overview

EPDM maintains a consistent rating of C across all 2 tested concentrations (5 %, saturated) of Resorcinol at 20 °C. The fact that the rating does not change with concentration within the tested range simplifies material selection, though the boundary conditions beyond this range remain untested. The rating remains stable between 20 °C and 50 °C, which means this material can also handle moderately elevated process temperatures without additional risk.

Application context

Resorcinol is commonly encountered in water treatment and electroplating. EPDM (Ethylene propylene diene rubber) is an elastomer typically used for seals, O-rings, hoses and flexible connections. The compatibility between these two is therefore an important consideration for engineers and procurement teams selecting containment, transfer, or processing equipment.

Practical recommendation

EPDM has limited resistance to Resorcinol and should only be used for short-term or intermittent contact at ambient temperature. The C rating means the material undergoes noticeable changes — swelling, loss of strength, or surface degradation — that make it unsuitable for permanent installations. For prolonged or continuous exposure, HDPE, LDPE, PMP offer significantly better resistance and are rated A.

Did you know?

Ethylene propylene diene rubber is commonly chosen for seals, O-rings, hoses and flexible connections because of its combination of chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and cost-effectiveness.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for 5 %, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
HDPE A, PP A, PVC Rigid B, LDPE A, Polycarbonate B, Polystyrene B, PMP A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, FEP A, ECTFE/ETFE A
Metals
Aluminium B

About EPDM

EPDM resists water, steam, alkalis, ketones and alcohols. Mineral oils, fuels and aromatic solvents swell it severely.

Rating scale

A rating marked * is an estimate in the source, not a test result. An estimate is given as one value without a temperature.

About this data

The ratings come from the chemical resistance list published by Bürkle GmbH, which compiled them from raw-material manufacturers’ data. They describe laboratory tests on the raw material at 20 °C and 50 °C.

A finished part also sees pressure, mechanical stress, welds and mixtures that a laboratory test does not. Treat the rating as a first filter and test under your own conditions before relying on it.