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What's the difference of Rubber co-extrusion and PVC co-extrusion?

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What's the difference of Rubber co-extrusion and PVC co-extrusion?

September 24, 2026

1. Manufacturing Process

Rubber co-extrusion (mostly EPDM for pinch weld, auto seals)

  1. Two or more rubber compounds (different hardness: dense rubber + sponge rubber / hard rubber substrate + soft sealing lip) are extruded together through one die.

  2. Critical step: Vulcanization (curing) after exiting the die (hot air / steam oven). Crosslinking happens during vulcanization to lock elastic properties.

  3. After vulcanization, it cannot be re-melted.

  4. Bonding between layers forms during vulcanization; good interlayer adhesion when formula matched.

PVC co-extrusion (soft PVC + rigid PVC)

  1. Rigid PVC (hard carrier/clip base) and plasticized soft PVC (sealing lip) are melted and co-extruded from separate extruders into one die.

  2. No vulcanization. Simply cool down to solidify.


  3. Thermoplastic: can be re-melted and recycled.

  4. Fusion bonding at melt state before cooling; relies on melt compatibility of PVC formulations.

2. Material & Physical Properties

ItemRubber Co-extrusion (EPDM typical)PVC Co-extrusion
Elasticity & compression setExcellent rebound, low compression set. After squeezing, it quickly returns to original shape. Perfect for dynamic sealingGood flexibility but poor long-term rebound. Plasticizer will migrate over time; permanent compression deformation easily occurs
Temperature range~ -40°C ~ +120°C~ -20°C ~ +70°C; becomes stiff/brittle in cold weather
Weather / ozone / UVOutstanding (EPDM). Long service life outdoors, automotive under-body, wheel arch, pinch weldModerate. UV will cause chalking, aging; plasticizer leaching over years
Chemical resistanceGood resistance to water, ozone, road salt; EPDM poor to oil; NBR good for oilResist acid/alkali; poor resistance to oil, solvents
Hardness tuningWide range, dual-hardness rubber-rubber coextrusionSoft/hard PVC combination; softness limited by plasticizer

3. Cost & Production

  • Rubber co-extrusion: Higher raw material + higher production cost (long vulcanization oven, slower line speed). Higher tooling cost.

  • PVC co-extrusion: Cheaper raw material, faster line speed, simpler equipment, lower overall cost. Easier color matching.

4. Typical Applications

Rubber co-extrusion

Automotive pinch weld protector, car door/trunk seals, engine compartment seals, heavy machinery, outdoor long-life weather seals, trailer hatch gaskets.

Fits your previous rubber pinch weld profile — the U-shaped pinch weld rubber is commonly EPDM co-extruded (hard gripping base + soft sealing edge).

PVC co-extrusion

Building door/window seals, furniture edge trim, refrigerator door gaskets, indoor edge protection, low-cost static sealing, cabinet edge trim. Not recommended for long-life automotive outdoor exposure.

5. Main Limitations

  • Rubber: Cannot be recycled; longer production cycle; higher price.

  • PVC: Plasticizer migration (hardens over time); bad low-temperature performance; poor long-term dynamic sealing; not suitable for high-temperature environment.



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