Flame Retardant EPDM Rubber

The best materials will self-extinguish, and that can help tremendously when a worst-case scenario occurs. Functionally, this means a flexible plastic or rubber material can only hold a flame when a flame is actively applied to it.

The minute a heat source is removed, the product will stop burning. Often times the only thing flammable inside a product is the rubber and plastic material, so if some or all can be converted to flame retardant rubber then the risk of catastrophic burning inside a product can be drastically reduced.

There are specific EPDM rubber blends that are available with flame retardant properties. Some Nitrile and Neoprene options also exist, but are far more expensive in most cases.

The EPDM products offer excellent weathering and aging properties, very good operating temperature ranges, and can also self-extinguish. These advantages can often outweigh the small additional cost of the material in durable goods like appliances, heavy equipment, production machinery, vehicles, medical device, or breathing safety applications.

The new material has the same dynamic properties as natural rubber, but simultaneously fulfils the highest fire protection regulations pursuant to the EN 45545 railway fire protection standard.