Rubber is one of the world’s most easy to overlook high-tech materials. However, advanced special elastomers are a must when it comes to sealing movable parts in machines or flexibly transporting liquids from one place to another.
A good example of this is the washing machine. If door seals were made of natural rubber, they would become leaky after only a few washing cycles. That’s because cleaning products and hot water have a harmful effect on the material. Today, manufacturers use a heat- and soap-resistant material called ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM for short), which often comes from the special rubber producer LANXESS.

The special rubber raw materials from the world’s largest manufacturer of synthetic rubber are also in demand on every continent for needs including drinking water. Simple, traditional rubber generally consists of a range of different components that can be gradually washed out by water. This results in the worn-out material sooner or later becoming brittle – and that means a leak is soon to appear.

Some substances in drinking water seals could also be problematic for an entirely different reason: They serve as nourishment for some bacteria. And a slimy bacteria-rich film in water lines isn’t only unsightly; it could also be harmful.

Special LANXESS rubber materials such as LCB (long chain branching)-EPDM, however, can help and be made into very elastic products. Another advantage of such materials is that they don’t become too soft even at high water temperatures and therefore remain more watertight.

Robust and non-leaking

EPDM rubber is even used in wastewater treatment systems. In settling tanks, for example, the air needed for the biological treatment stage is often pumped into the tank through EPDM membranes. Compared to other systems, the flexible pores of these membranes are not as quick to become clogged by wastewater-borne sludge.
 
Besides EPDM, other rubber materials from LANXESS are also in demand in the water sector. These include seals made of Therban, a high-performance rubber material from LANXESS that is as reliable and resistant to aging as EPDM, while also being compatible with natural gas. The latter feature ensures that workers cannot accidentally use the wrong seals during assembly.