A new, innovative technology for thermoplastic elastomer hybrids featuring an application-specific combination and a modifiability that are superior to the options provided by classic thermoplastic vulcanizates.

Materials made by mixing thermoplastics and crosslinked elastomers are mainly known as EPDM/PP blends. Although they combine application properties of elastomers with thermoplastic processability, they are limited when high performance is required such as contact with other media at high temperatures. This contrasts with an increased demand for materials that are suited for thermoplastic processing and, in particular, offer superior heat and chemical resistance. KRAIBURG TPE classifies these materials as thermoplastic elastomer hybrids (TEH) to differentiate them from known TPV blends such as EPDM/PP.

KRAIBURG TPE has developed and tested a trendsetting TEH manufacturing technology. The resulting application-engineered TEH materials are not only a response to the current and emerging challenges the company faces in the market, but they are also a new performance class for thermoplastic processors.

“Our TEH manufacturing technology enables us to combine different mixtures of various elastomers and thermoplastics with respective crosslinked systems to form materials with unprecedented properties. Due to their performance, the new materials can be regarded as an alternative to corresponding rubber compounds.

Their properties include high media and temperature resistances, which are adjusted to the requirements of each application,” explains Dr. Frieder Vielsack, Head of Advance Development at KRAIBURG TPE. And he adds: “This technology gives us the flexibility to tailor the material’s property profile to the requirements of specific applications”.

The resulting compounds can not only be used as an alternative to common crosslinked rubber solutions that is economically convincing and processable like thermoplastics, but they also offer appealing options for multi-component applications when bonded with technical plastics such as polyamides and thermoplastic polyesters. They can be processed with common injection molding machines and extruder lines, do not require any finishing and are completely recyclable. Black and natural are the standard colors.

The performance properties of these TEH materials include hardness from 55 to 80 Shore A, permanent operating temperatures of up to 150 °C (302 °F) and chemical stability against materials such as oils, lubricants, fuels and coolants. Thus they are particularly suitable for use in the environment of combustion engines, in heat management of drives and batteries for electric vehicles, as well as in lubrication and cooling systems of machines, process technology and buildings. Direct applications include seals and gaskets, plugs and connectors, lids and covers.

“The new TEH compounds that are matched to individual applications benefit from our proven materials know-how, solid market expertise and the way in which we are resolutely oriented toward our customers,” adds Franz Hinterecker, CEO at KRAIBURG TPE. “The versatility and performance of the innovative technology confirm our commitment as a supplier of ‘custom-engineered TPEs and more‘.”

Visitors to the 26th Fakuma in Friedrichshafen from October 16 to 20, 2018, can obtain information about this and other materials technologies of KRAIBURG TPE from first hand at booth 5303 in hall B5.