MATERIALS | THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS
Right: A new Versaflex CE TPE grade from PolyOne has been devel- oped to add a silky feel and abrasion resistance to portable speaker skins
the increased use of TPEs, and that Kraiburg TPE is responding with a broad spectrum of materials and services. Increased functionality and reliable sealing feature in the company’s latest developments. “Especially manufacturers of consumer products
are increasingly striving to use their packaging to provide functional unique selling propositions,” notes Neuer. “At the same time, the increase in shipments of single liquid products as a result of e-commerce, as opposed to conventional large- scale distribution on pallets, increases the require- ments for packaging with a reliable seal.” An innovative application for TPEs is the use of dosing valves, which allow leak-proof packaging of viscous foodstuffs and cleaners or care products. The valve opens only when pressure is applied, allowing controlled removal of the contents, with no dripping or accumulations. Typical is the “one2serve” dosing valve from Menshen, a large manufacturer of high-quality closures. This is produced by 2K moulding. Neuer says Kraiburg TPE formulations for use as dosing valves “feature elasticity throughout the entire life cycle that is comparable to that of typical silicones of competitors.
The hysteresis or elastic-plastic deformation behaviour of these compounds shows a significant decrease in deformation compared to standard TPEs, in which the stress
Above: Dosing valve is part of a 2K moulding
and relief curves are further apart.” To ensure that higher dosing pressure is not needed when the valve is opened for the first time – even after months of storage – the TPE materials are specially designed to prevent the slots from clogging. Neuer further notes that Kraiburg uses only pure white oils, such as those used in the medical industry. Kraiburg’s latest Thermolast K materials fulfil the
Right: German moulder Grund uses Dryflex Green TPEs from Hexpol TPE in its new generation of bed slat holders
requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21 (CFR21) of the US FDA and of the Directive (EU) No. 10/2011 for plastic materials that are intended for contact with foods. The portfolio includes numerous compounds for fatty food applications for which the formulation can be adapted to the specific surface/volume ratio.
Growth in bio-based TPEs Availability of bio-based TPEs is increasing. Hexpol TPE for example has added new compounds to its Dryflex Green family. Raw materials can be pro- duced from various renewable sources, including agricultural by-products.
46 INJECTION WORLD | September 2017
www.injectionworld.com
The company has developed several new customisation options for the Dryflex TPE com- pounds. The hardness range has been expanded to include 20 Shore A to 55 Shore D, with amounts of renewable bio content to over 90% (ASTM D 6866-12), depending on the hardness. According to Thomas Köppl, manager central technology and development centre at Hexpol TPE, “One of the key challenges we faced with the Dryflex Green TPE compounds was to develop low hardnesses with high levels of renewable content, since most bio-based raw materials in the market are quite hard on their own. We have now added lower hardnesses to the Dryflex Green range while at the same time maintaining mechanical proper- ties.” Hexpol TPE has additionally developed compounds using organic fillers and natural fibres from plants, crops or trees, including cork.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.albis.com �
www.aschulman.com �
www.teknorapex.com �
www.dowcorning.com �
www.polyone.com �
www.zylogplastalloys.com �
www.dsm.com �
www.hexpoltpe.com �
www.kraiburg-tpe.com
PHOTO: KRAIBURG TPE
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