EPDM was developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Its inventors were scientists seeking a roof covering material that could withstand great fluctuations in temperature--in particular, those experienced in the desert climates of the Middle East.
By 2010, EPDM had become the most widely used material for commercial roof coverings in the United States, according to the EPDM Roofing Association. It is not used for residential roofing, however. EPDM is also found in such products as tires, gaskets, radiator hoses, steam hoses and aircraft seals.
EPDM maintains its integrity in temperatures as hot as 250 degrees Fahrenheit and as cold as minus-40. Depending on the application, it may tolerate even more extreme temperatures. It stands up well to impacts, weathering, abrasion and ultraviolet exposure.
For roofing applications, the most common use of EPDM, the substance comes both in sheets and as a liquid, which solidifies after a catalyst is mixed in. The liquid version allows just about anything to be coated with EPDM.