MATERIALS | THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS
Right: Avient is helping old fishing nets to be recycled into new TPEs
surfaces, as well as having very good weathering resistance and processability. “The new develop- ment bridges the performance between silicone rubbers and TPE alternatives (like COPE, COPA),” the company says. “While maintaining the long- lasting durability, abrasion and resilience recog- nised in TPUs, it adds comfort, design flexibility, and recyclability.”
Estane Silk 91T70 has a Shore A hardness of
approximately 70. Lubrizol says excellent mould release properties contribute to a reduction in cycle time of some 25% compared with other TPUs. It can be over-moulded onto polycarbonate and polyesters. It is easy to colour and recycle, with compounds containing up to 30% recyclate still maintaining colour and mechanical performance, Lubrizol says.
Up to 40% PIR The choice of TPEs already containing recyclate continues to grow. For example, Kraiburg TPE says its new RC/UV series addresses demanding requirements for automotive exteriors such as weathering resistance and a high surface quality, while containing up to 40% of post-industrial recycled (PIR) materials. Applications are also envisaged under the vehicle and under the hood: water tank covers, air duct parts, wheel arch liners, drip rails and window encapsulations, for example. The compounds can be over-moulded onto
polypropylene. The low density of the new com- pound series allows weight reductions of up to 25% as compared to some other TPEs, Kraiburg TPE claims. Recyclate also figures in new TPEs from Avient.
Last year it launched several portfolios of post- consumer (PCR) and PIR materials – TPEs, polyam- ides, and polycarbonates – under the reSound R
Right: RC/UV series TPEs containing post-industrial recyclate
enable OEMs to contribute to the circular plastics economy, says Kraiburg TPE
brand name. TPEs, called reSound R VX and currently only available in North America (with global availability under evaluation), contain up to 25% PCR and up to 40% PIR; both can be over- moulded onto polypropylene. The PCR grades are formulated with recycled
ocean plastics from Oceanworks, a participant in the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, a non-profit group that includes Avient as a founding member. They are formulated for consumer applications, such as personal care products, lawn and garden tools, outdoor goods, office supplies, footwear, and houseware durables. At the beginning of the year, Audia Elastomers launched AudiaFlex TPEs, which also include grades derived from ocean waste, as well as other PCR, PIR, and bio-based sources. Frank Axelrod, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, says the company is “responding to legislation on single- use plastics, growing consumer demand for sustainable products, and the commitment from brand owners to achieve sustainability goals over the next five years.” AudiaFlex OP grades are based on marine waste plastics – beach clean-up materials, commer- cial fishing gear, and ocean-bound plastics. Included are products with up to 45% marine waste and 70% total recycled material content. The AudiaFlex PC line has grades derived from defined supply sources with consistent colour (yogurt cups for example); they can be used for food contact applications. AudiaFlex PI materials incorporate 5-70% post-industrial recyclate. AudiaFlex Bio grades have bio-based contents ranging from 5-90%. All four ranges have grades in hardnesses
16 INJECTION WORLD | May 2021
www.injectionworld.com
IMAGE: KRAIBURG TPE
IMAGE: AVIENT
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