New TPE compounds for premium lifestyle products

KRAIBURG TPE has extended its portfolio of THERMOLAST® K Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) with a range of compounds designed to deliver velvety, satin-smooth surfaces, superior adhesion in two-component applications with polar thermoplastics and outstanding mechanical performance properties. The new materials offer high scratch and abrasion resistance, good chemical compatibility and UV-stability as well as easy processing at high injection rates. Addressing the particular needs of premium lifestyle products, they made their debut at CHINAPLAS 2017.

There is a growing demand for TPE materials with higher performance properties in application and processing especially in the consumer electronics and premium lifestyle products sectors. At CHINAPLAS 2017, KRAIBURG TPE introduced a new range of high-tech THERMOLAST® K materials of the VS/AD/HM¹ series developed to meet this trend.

These innovative TPE compounds address particular market and customer challenges, including highly efficient injection molding properties, such as excellent flow for high injection rates and short cycle times. In addition, they demonstrate superior adhesion to polar thermoplastics in two-component applications not only with PC, ABS, PC/ABS blends, PU, ASA and SAN, but also with PA12 und PA6.

The new VS/AD/HM compounds feature high scratch and abrasion resistance as well as durable compatibility with chemicals typically tested in the consumer electronics industry, including human skin lipids (sebum), cream and common household cleaners. They have also proven good skin compatibility in irritation tests in relation to ISO 10993-10.

The first products of this advanced TPE technology combine a Shore A hardness in the range of 61 to 72 with a tensile strength up to 15 MPa and a tear strength up to 30 N/mm. They provide very high elongation at break (600 %) and peel strength, also giving them the perfect fit for very thin elastomer overmoldings. Together with ease of coloring and excellent color stability, these properties open virtually unlimited design possibilities for a wide range of different premium applications.

“The development of our unique VS/AD/HM series meets with specific market for high-tech elastomers, characterized by strong global growth and especially the Chinese market,” said Franz Hinterecker, CEO of KRAIBURG TPE. “Therefore, CHINAPLAS was the perfect place to introduce these new compounds designed to meet four key demands of our lifestyle, consumer electronics and automotive customers; excellent adhesion, ease of processing and outstanding strength at velvety soft feel.”

Typical applications for the new compounds include game console controllers, remote controls and headphones, protective sleeves for mobile phones and tablets and toys. The VS/AD/HM series delivers exceptionally satin-smooth and velvety surfaces, making them an ideal choice for premium cosmetic packaging applications. With good UV-stability and values below 900 ppm in chlorine/bromine testing, these high-performance TPE also meet essential requirements for automotive interior parts, such as control wheels, handles, buttons and switches.

The new VS/AD/HM series is manufactured to consistent quality standards at all KRAIBURG TPE production sites and is available worldwide as part of the company’s portfolio.

¹VS = Velvet Surface, AD = Adhesion, HM = High Mechanicals

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