TPVs get a splash of color

New colorable grades of M300 Santoprene target automotive interior applications, including cup holders, mats, coin trays, grips, and other soft-touch components. Introduced last year in black only, the M300 thermoplastic vulcanizates have been formulated to reduce fogging and odor. When tested at 100C for 16 hours (DIN 75201B), the colorable M300 grades produced fogging results as low as 1.2 milligrams. The colorable grades also contain a UV-stability additives package to impart long-term color match with the vehicle interior. And according to AES Automotive Manager John Christensen, the new M300 grades offer some cost-reducing processing advantages. For one, they can be individually colored as needed, right at the molding press. For another, they make use of a high-flow technology that improves mold filling and appearance. Colorable M300 comes in standard hardnesses from 65 and 85 Shore A.

Advanced Elastomer Systems: Enter 641

Medical tubing, hold the latex

Three new Monprene thermoplastic styrenic block copolymers take aim at latex and PVC plasticizers in medical tubing applications. Grades MP 1580L1 and 1871-R, with respective hardness ratings of 37 and 35 Shore A, are intended to replace latex. The 1580L1 grade meets USP Class VI requirements, while the 1871-R complies with ISO 10993. Grade MP 1848, which has 75 Shore A hardness, is formulated as a replacement for flexible PVC in tubing and molded medical components. According to Brian Mulvany, Teknor Apex medical and regulated products manager, the new compounds provide a comparable clarity and kink-resistance to flexible PVC.

Teknor Apex, Thermoplastic Elastomer Div.:Enter 642

Food and medical uses no problem for new elastomer

VexPrene 1200 Series thermoplastic elastomers have recently won the regulatory approvals needed for medical, food, and potable-water applications. This line of fully vulcanized EPDM/PP elastomers now includes grades that offer USP Class VI compliance as well as grades that comply with FDA regulations for use in food (non-fatty, non-oily) and potable-water applications. Available in natural or black, the 1200 Series covers a hardness range from 55 Shore A to 50 Shore D. According to Jonas Angus, president of Thermoplastic Rubber Systems, the NexPrene elastomers have been specifically formulated to improve on the tear and tensile strength of typical thermoplastic vulcanizates; The NexPrene 64 Shore A grade, for example, offers a tear strength of 34 kN/m and a tensile strength of roughly 8 MPa. Compression set for the same grade is 29% (22 hrs @ 70C), he adds.

Thermoplastic Rubber Systems Inc.:Enter 643

Elastomer alloy bridges property gap

Versalloy 9000 Series elastomer alloys have been formulated to bridge the property and processing gap between thermoplastic vulcanizates and styrenic block copolymers. The 9000 Series offers chemical and heat resistance above that of most styrenic block copolymers, while its low viscosity, isotropic shrinkage, and colorability make it easier to process than many TPVs, reports GLS Marketing Manager Walt Ripple. Key mechanical properties are comparable with a TPV, Ripple adds. A 55 Shore A grade, for example, has a compression set of 21% (@ 23C), an elongation of 584%, and a tear strength of 28 kN/m. The 9000 Series also includes 45 and 70 Shore A grades.

GLS Corp.:Enter 644

Elastomers stop the shakes

Damped elastomers from E-A-R Specialty Composites have now been used for a standard line of isolation mounts for small fans. These golf-tee-shaped mounts, which come in three sizes and can handle up to 2 lbs/mount, replace the metal mounting hardware used to secure fans in computers, set-top boxes, and other electronic devices. The standard mounts come in two material families: ISODAMP vinyls have a peak loss factor of 1.2 and cover a temperature range of 13 to 63C. Versadamp TPEs have a peak loss factor of 0.8 and cover a temperature range of
-40 to 100C.

E-A-R Specialty Composites: Enter 645

Two-component urethanes resist compression set

Bayer Corp. has developed new formulation methods for making polyurethane elastomers with improved compression set properties for applications such as gaskets, sealing rings, and load-bearing pads. Ashok Sarpeshkar, a development scientist in the company's elastomers business group, described two methods for formulating two-component liquid alternatives to cast solid polyurethane's, which can be more difficult to process. One of the new methods produces elastomers with compression sets under 10%, while the other achieves compression sets as low as 4%.

Bayer Corp.:Enter 646