PP/EPDM Welding Rods (Polypropylene Rubber Modified, ethylene propylene diene monomer (M-class) rubber) – select from the options below –
PP/EPDM Welding Rods (Polypropylene Rubber Modified, ethylene propylene diene monomer (M-class) rubber) – select from the options below –
PP/EPDM (polypropylene/EPDM rubber blend) is the thermoplastic elastomer used for soft-touch automotive interior trim, flexible dashboard surrounds, soft-finish bumper sections, and rubbery boot/gaiter parts. PP/EPDM rod welds to itself for invisible repairs on visible interior parts.
Modern dashboard pads with rubber-feel finishes — common in mid-to-premium passenger vehicles. PP/EPDM is the typical material.
Door card upper panels, glove-box surrounds, console panels with give. Where a rigid PP would feel cheap, PP/EPDM is used for the better tactile finish.
Some Japanese and European bumpers use PP/EPDM for the textured/rubberised finish on the lower section. Repair requires matched rod.
| Spec | Value / range |
|---|---|
| Recycling code | 5 (PP) — blend categorised by primary polymer |
| Welding temperature | 330-360°C |
| Feel | Soft, slight rubber give — distinguishes from rigid PP |
| Common rod sizes | 3mm round, 8x2mm flat, 13x2mm flat — automotive interior typically uses flat rod for butt welds along seams |
| Standard colours | Black — matches the vast majority of automotive interior trim |
| Pack sizes | 25m for repair work, 400m bulk for production |
If the substrate feels rubbery, has give under thumb pressure, or has a matte/textured finish typical of soft-touch automotive interior, use PP/EPDM rod. If it's rigid and glossy, use standard PP rod. Matched rod gives stronger welds and more invisible visible repairs.
PP/EPDM is a thermoplastic elastomer blend: polypropylene combined with EPDM rubber. It gives the moldability of PP with the soft-touch flexibility of rubber. Used in automotive soft-touch interior parts, dashboard surrounds, vehicle bumpers with rubber-effect finishes, hose covers, and flexible boot/gaiter components.
Sometimes — there's enough PP in the blend that a PP rod will bond, but the weld will be weaker than a matched PP/EPDM-on-PP/EPDM weld. The EPDM rubber phase doesn't fuse with pure PP rod, so the bond is partial. For visible automotive interior trim repairs, use the matched rod.
Feel and flex. PP/EPDM has a slight rubber give under thumb pressure where pure PP is rigid. Visually, PP/EPDM often has a matte/rubbery surface finish where PP is more glossy. The recycling code is usually 5 (PP) for both, since blends are categorised by primary polymer.
Around 330-360°C — slightly lower than pure PP because the EPDM rubber phase melts at a lower temperature. Too hot and the rubber phase degrades, leaving you with brittle PP. Test on offcut to dial in.
Vehicle bumpers with soft-touch finishes (some Japanese and European models), dashboard pad repairs, soft-touch interior trim, rubber-effect boot panels and door cards, and any automotive interior plastic that has flex/give to it.
Tell us about the job: the plastic you're working with, the wall thickness, and how often you'll use the tool. We'll recommend the right combination for the application.
PP/EPDM Welding Rods (Polypropylene Rubber Modified, ethylene propylene diene monomer (M-class) rubber) – select from the options below –
