Study of compatibility between eco-friendly insulating medium C6F12O and sealing material EPDM

•Due to its excellent environmental-friendly properties and insulation properties, C6F12O has attracted the attention of scholars all over the world.•In order to ensure that gas-insulating medium can stably operate in equipment for long term, it is necessary to research its compatibility with the solid materials (metal, sealing rubber and et al) inside equipment.•The morphology of EPDM is revealed based on scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).•The interaction mechanism between EPDM and C6F12O is analyzed based on molecular dynamics (MD) theory.•Relevant results not only reveal the compatibility between C6F12O and EPDM, but also provide reference for the selection and manufacture of medium and low voltage switchgear materials.