MATERIALS | TPEs
Silicone elastomers Wacker will launch two new silicone elastomers at Fakuma – one for e-mobility applications, the other for food contact.
Above: BASF showcased its Elastopan SpringPure and Elastollan TPU grades at Simac recently
Building on the earlier 005 model, the new 055 is built for long-distance racing and highly techni- cal terrain, combining enhanced cushioning and rebound with lightweight durability and stability. Showing its performance in competition, ultra runner Rachel Entrekin recently won the Cocodona 250 race in Arizona wearing the 055. The 055 highlights the versatility and resilience
of Arnitel foam technology across trail running applications, says Envalior. While the 005 was designed as a light, fast trail racing shoe, the 055 expands performance with a thicker Arnitel midsole for more cushioning and protection. “Arnitel continues to redefine what trail runners
can expect from high-performance midsoles,” said Andre Oosterlaken, market development manager for Arnitel at Envalior. “Working with brands like Norda keeps pushing us to continue developing next-gen midsole foams to meet and exceed their expectations.”
Envalior says that Arnitel delivers higher mechanical property retention, consistent perfor- mance across varying temperatures and terrains, and long-lasting rebound performance. Its low energy loss after foaming enables midsoles to maintain responsiveness and comfort across extended distances and tough environments. “With the 055, we set out to create an all-moun- tain shoe that’s explosive, yet stable,” said Nick Martire, co-founder of Norda. “Arnitel’s mechanical properties made it the only foam that could strike the balance between rebound, stability and durability.” The launch of the 055 coincides with Envalior’s
introduction of next-generation Arnitel foaming grades, developed to improve foam performance and expand processing capabilities for footwear applications. The new materials support continued innovation in lightweight, durable and high-perfor- mance footwear solutions, says Envalior.
24 INJECTION WORLD | September/October 2026
Elastosil LR 3822 is an oil-exuding liquid silicone rubber (LSR) developed for connector seals in the cooling system of EV traction batteries. Its low compression set ensures high sealing, while it is also resistant to coolant. The crosslinked elastomer continuously releases silicone oil from its surface, creating a lubricant film that facilitates the machine assembly of moulded parts significantly. The silicone is also durable and tear-resistant. After curing, it can be stretched by 270% without cracks or damage. Another advan- tage is its superior low-temperature flexibility, retaining elasticity as low as -45°C. Tests show that the silicone maintains most of its mechanical properties even after being stored for 1,000 hours in a glycol-water mixture at 125 °C. This becomes evident when examining its compression set. This test records the ability for rubber parts to return to their original thickness after prolonged pressure stresses. With a compression set of 44%, sealing elements made of the material have enough resilience to ensure a consistent sealing perfor- mance in the seal groove during operation. The material has a Shore A hardness of 60.
Possible applications include weather packs or sealing elements in the cooling circuit of electric- vehicle batteries. Wacker will also showcase what it called the first non-postcure silicone rubber with self-adhesive properties.
Elastosil LR 5471 is an LSR that complies with the
recommendations of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) regarding silicones for food contact. It adheres to several metals, as well as thermoplastics like PBT and PET. The material crosslinks to form an elastomer with a very low volatile content. As a result, hard/soft composite parts made from the new grade can be used in the food and medical industries, as well as in infant care.
Self-adhesive LSR grades allow hard/soft composite components to be made efficiently in large-scale production runs. Internal bonding agents added to the silicone polymer ensure strong, reliable adhesion to the substrate. Ideally, the hard component can be overmoulded with LSR in the injection moulding machine without any surface treatment. This allows cost-effective mass production of composite parts based on thermo- plastic or metal materials. Standard LSR grades usually need several hours
www.injectionworld.com
IMAGE: BASF
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