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Technical Information

Foam Tubing Materials

Choosing the Right Material

Knowing which material is best suited for your application is the first step in successfully selecting the right tubing or hand grip for your application. Grip-Tek’s handles are crafted with the best in foam and rubber materials to ensure functionality and dependability. Explore our materials below!


EPDM Foam Rubber (Medium Density)

 

Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer is suitable for indoor and outdoor use and is recommended for applications with primarily outdoor exposure.  EPDM is very color stable and is found in a wide variety of applications with a service temperature range from -30ºF (-30ºC) to 230ºF (110ºC).

 

EPDM has excellent resistance to:

  • Ozone
  • Weather
  • UV Rays
  • Aging
  • Water
  • Steam
  • Alkalis
  • Acids
  • Oxygenated solvents

EPDM has fair resistance to:

  • Oil

 

EPDM has many of the same characteristics as NPVC foam rubber in terms of appearance, comfortable "cushiony" feel, function and durability, though NPVC is a more cost effective option.

Tubing & Grips available in EPDM:

  • Style D1 - Foam Tubing and Grips with Smooth Skin and Straight End Cuts
  • Style D3 - Foam Tubing and Grips with Buffed Skin and Radius End Cuts


NPVC Foam Rubber (Medium Density)

 

Nitrile PVC is found in a wide variety of applications with a service temperature range from -25ºF (-32ºC) to 220ºF (104ºC).

 

NPVC has high tensile strength and very good resistance to:

  • Oil
  • Gasoline
  • Heat
  • Abrasion

NPVC has poor resistance to:

  • Oxygenated solvents

 

NPVC is a more cost-effective alternative to EPDM, where resistance to severe outdoor weather exposure is not needed.  NPVC is the perfect combination of softness and durability with excellent vibration dampening qualities.

Foam Tubing & Grips available in NPVC:

  • Style D1 - Smooth Skin and Straight End Cuts
  • Style D3 - Buffed Skin and Radius End Cuts
  • Style D8 - Buffed Skin, Contoured Profile and Radius End Cuts