68 CHEMICALS KNOWLEDGE HUB Issue 1 / July 2025 MATERIAL SCIENCE The exponential growth of the Chinese automotive industry has catalyzed the growth of the tire industry in the country. Asia Pacific is also estimated to be the fastest-growing market during the forecast period. The rapidly growing automotive and transportation industries in countries such as China and India are projected to propel the growth of the tire industry in the region. The automotive (non-tire) segment is the secondlargest application of synthetic rubber. Hoses for air-conditioning, engine seals, dashboards, exterior filler panels, wipers, body seals, door & window handles, vibration-damping pads, and vehicle mats are among the many applications of synthetic rubber. Synthetic rubber types with significant strength are replacing metal parts in vehicles. This reduces the weight of the vehicle and helps in increasing its fuel efficiency without compromising performance. The trend of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in vehicles has increased the demand for synthetic rubber in the automotive industry. Synthetic rubber is also used in various applications, such as mastic adhesives, spot sealers, and adhesives used in brakes. Synthetic rubberbased coatings and adhesives have high resistance to moisture, acids, abrasion, corrosion, and slipping. They also provide a controlled grip and remain flexible over a long period without cracking. Ethylene is a synthetic rubber consisting of ethylene, propylene, and diene monomers. EPDM poses extreme resistance to outdoor conditions because of a single bond and saturated chemical backbone in the molecular structure. EPDM has protection against ozone and UV rays, unlike other rubber with double bond molecular structures. It also has electrical insulation, compression set, and low-temperature properties. EPDM is used as a substitute for silicon rubber for parts of the products that have exposure to outside moisture or electrical insulation. It is also used for liner and roofing purposes. The major industry that uses EPDM is the automobile industry because of its properties, such as flexibility and resilience. EPDM is used in weather stripping, seals, harness, and brake systems. The other industry that uses EPDM is the construction industry because of its waterproofing and insulating capabilities. The major application of EPDM in the construction industry is roofing. The industrial sector uses EPDM for water system O-rings, gaskets, hoses, and electrical insulators and connectors because of its resilience, flexibility, and electrical insulation. Editorial team CHEMICALS KNOWLEDGE HUB Next-gen mobility, lightweighting, digitalization, and improved medical care to change revenue ix of suppliers.
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