At Sherwood Industries Inc., we work with customers who have long relied on traditional U.S. made rubber compounds such as EPDM, neoprene, and various custom elastomer blends. Over time, these materials have become increasingly expensive and less predictable due to labor requirements, curing steps, and variability in their compound formulations. As manufacturers look for more stable solutions, Santoprene TPV (EPDM/PP) by Celanese has proven to be a dependable option for both profile and sheet extrusion.

Traditional Rubber

Traditional rubber requires a curing process that can introduce variation from batch to batch. Factors such as cure temperature, cure time, and mixing conditions can influence hardness, shrink, sealing behavior, and overall stability of the rubber. This creates challenges in applications where consistency and predictable performance are important, especially for seals, gaskets, and die-cut components. Rubber compounds have also experienced steady cost increases driven by energy use, labor, and multi-step compounding demand. For many customers, the cost and variability no longer match the performance expectations of modern applications.

Santoprene Sheet and Profile

Santoprene TPV (EPDM/PP) avoids cure-related variation because it does not require a curing process at all. As a thermoplastic vulcanizate, it processes cleanly and consistently, and its properties remain stable from one production run to the next. Once extruded, it maintains its shape, flexibility, and sealing behavior without the drift that can occur with cured rubber materials. Customers benefit from predictable performance, steady dimensions, and reliable behavior in many applications including:

• Outdoor Environments
• Automotive Applications
• Water-Related Systems
• Appliance Components
• General-Purpose Elastomer Uses

The material’s consistency leads to fewer part-to-part differences and improved reliability once components are in service. Santoprene (EPDM/PP) is commonly used as a replacement for rubber in seals, gaskets, flexible profiles, die-cut parts, trim, edging, and a wide range of general elastomer components. In these applications, Santoprene often provides equal or improved performance without the challenges associated with rubber compounding and curing.

Cost Difference

Cost is often a major driver in rubber-to-Santoprene conversions. Customers typically see cost advantages through a variety of means including:

— Lower material cost in many durometers

— More predictable pricing driven by a simpler raw-material supply chain

— Reduced scrap since the material can be reused responsibly

— The elimination of curing-related energy and labor costs

The combination of stable pricing and consistent material behavior helps customers better manage total manufacturing cost.

Sherwood Industries’ Capabilities

Sherwood Industries manufactures all Santoprene (EPDM/PP) sheet and profile in-house. We assist customers in reviewing their current rubber components, identifying appropriate Santoprene grades, and matching the functional requirements of the original design. Our ISO-certified processes and long-standing experience with TPV materials allow us to produce consistent parts without the variation that can occur with rubber-based materials. Sherwood Industries is available to help evaluate your application and determine whether Santoprene is the right replacement material.