TAGS: Rubber Replacement 3D Printing Green and Bioplastics Medical
Thermoplastic elastomers, TPEs, have been continuing to advance with new grades and higher performance features being regularly introduced to the market. All TPE classes have been experiencing these improved new grades:
- Styrenic Block Copolymers, SBCs (SIS, SEBS)
- Thermoplastic Olefin Elastomers, TPOs
- Thermoplastic Vulcanized Olefinics, TPVs
- Thermoplastic Polyurethanes, TPUs
- Copolyester Ether Elastomers, COPEs, and
- Specialty TPEs
There are several reasons driving the global thermoplastic elastomers market, like, intense competition in the market is leading to development of value-added products (soft touch, flexible, high adhesion…) through increased investments in the R&D. The "greening" of plastics is also having an impact as bets are being placed on bio-based or "renewable-content" materials.
To attain competitive advances, a good understanding of the implications of these new products is a must for the TPE and rubber part manufacturers as well as users and specifiers.
Check out some of the latest advances in thermoplastic elastomers segment seen recently answering the growing demand in the industry.
Bio-based TPEs Meet Sustainability & Performance Needs
Climate change, finite oil resources and customers who are increasingly environmentally aware are leading more and more materials manufacturers and users to turn to
“renewable” and “bio-based” solutions. By developing customer-specific and application-specific compounds using renewable raw materials, several suppliers are aiming to meet the growing demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable
thermoplastic elastomers.
The notable developments in
bio-based thermoplastic elastomers segments are mentioned below.
Soft ‘Green’ TPE from Plant
HEXPOL TPE offers
Dryflex® Green family of biobased and recyclable TPE compounds containing raw materials from renewable resources such as
plant and vegetable crops. Recently, HEXPOL TPE added Styrenic Block Copolymer (TPS) and Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) grades with amounts of renewable content to over 90%.
According to the company, Dryflex® Green TPE compounds display mechanical and physical properties close to and comparable to TPE compounds from fossil based raw materials.
- Flexibility & tensile properties
- Soft touch feel
- Suitable for injection molding & extrusion
- Adhesion to polymers, such as PE, PP, ABS, PC/ABS, PET
- Fully recyclable
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- Can easily be colored
- Amounts of renewable content to over 90% (ASTM D 6866)
- Hardness from 15 Shore A to 60 Shore D
- Suitable for consumer, automotive, packaging, medical and construction markets
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Bio-derived TPEs for Overmolding
reSound™ OM thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are based on biopolymers derived from
sugarcane. The reSound™ OM portfolio consists of:
- Four overmolding grades compatible with rigid polypropylene, and
- One grade that's suited for overmolding onto ABS.
These new formulations utilize between 40 and 50 percent bio-renewable content derived from sugarcane and offer
hardness levels, favorable property retention and
UV resistance comparable to traditional TPEs.
The new grades highlight
easy colorability, an essential requirement such as cosmetics packaging, personal care products, and consumer electronics.
Applications of reSound™ OM Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs)
Bio-based TPE for Extrusion and Injection Molding
FKuR offers
Terraprene®, a family of high-quality TPE compounds based on renewable resources. The Terraprene® family includes compounds from hardnesses 20 Shore A to 40 Shore D and up to 90% of
bio-based content. In addition, they can be easily colored and for a
more natural look they can be filled with organic fibers like wood or cork.
Terraprene® Filled with Organic Fibers by FKuR
According to FKuR, Terraprene® compounds can be used in various applications for example in soft-touch handles, toys, tools or sports equipment. As a result, it can be used as sustainable replacement for
PVC as well.
TPE Capabilities Extended to 3D Printing
Flexible polymer materials significantly expand the options for
additive manufacturing because they allow us to realize new, demanding applications in attractive markets.
Expanding TPE capabilities to 3D Printing, we see the following developments in the industry.
TPC for Fused Filament Fabrication
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Car Part (Air Pipe), 3D Printed Using Arnitel® ID2060 HT |
DSM has developed
Arnitel® ID2060 HT, a high-performance Thermoplastic Copolyester (TPC) for 3D printing using
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF).
Made from 50% bio-based feedstock, Arnitel® provides a perfect blend of flexibility, temperature resistance, chemical resistance and strength for use in a wide variety of applications while remaining
100% recyclable.
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First high temperature TPC filament on the market
- Prolonged high temperature performance: 175°C (1000 hrs), 190°C (500 hrs)
- Excellent chemical resistance
- Hardness of Shore D 61
Selective Laser Sintering TPE Filament
Flex TPE is a soft thermoplastic elastomer for Selective Laser Sintering and offers rubber-like flexibility and functionality. This material maintains
high flexibility and has excellent shape retention. It has an inherent surface texture and modest feature definition and can be finished in a few basic color options.
Flex TPE retains up to 5X stretch capacity and is infiltrated with either a 40A or 70A durometer polyurethane material.
Thermoplastic Amide for Flexible Applications
Evonik and HP present a new a flexible specialty elastomer powder for Jet Fusion 3D printing technology. This lightweight-construction material is based on a thermoplastic amide grade (TPA) with a very low density of 1.01 g/cm³ and a Shore A hardness of 91.
INFINAM® TPA – Flexible, High-performance Specialty Powder Based on a Thermoplastic Amide Grade (TPA)
The material is said to be well suited for
production of functional high-tech 3D plastic parts—prototypes as well as series products—that call for high extensibility and energy return, such as sports equipment or automobile components.
Soft-touch to High Flexibility - Growing Demand in Consumer Applications
Food Contact Compliant, Soft Touch TPE
Especially tailored for the consumer goods applications,
ACTEGA offers SOFT EST.® flexible TPE compounds suitable for injection molding. The series include
highly transparent, translucent and natural-colored versions with Shore hardness values from A20 to A85.
Features of SOFT EST.® Flexible TPE Compounds
The materials are all food-safe according to EU 10/2011 and FDA regulations. The products are suitable for applications involving direct contact with foods containing water, acids, alcohol and fats and also with dry foods; in all these situations the correct ratio must be maintained between the contact area and the total area.
Electrically Conductive TPEs Bring New Opportunities
KRAIBURG TPE has developed electrically conductive TPEs with adhesion to polyolefins or polyamides. Electrically conductive TPEs open up new opportunities with regard to touch qualities, functionality and design for innovative applications such as sensors, electrostatically dissipative components for automotive or smart textiles for sportswear and safety clothes.
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The EC series with adhesion to polypropylene provides a resistance of < 101 Ω-cm, a hardness of 70–80 Shore A with a density of 0.97–0.99 g/cm3.
- The unique EC/PA series with adhesion to polyamides has a resistance of < 103 Ω-cm & a hardness of 70–80 Shore A with a density of 0.96–0.97 g/cm3.
Glass Fiber-reinforced PEBA for High Strength Applications
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XEGLASS 17 by Xenia |
XEGLASS 17 is a 50% glass fiber reinforced PEBA that offers high chemical resistance and great impact strength at low temperatures. The glass fiber reinforcement allows the achievement of mechanical features, much greater than the ones of the pure polymer.
XEGLASS 17 composites have low hygroscopic absorption and dimensional stability, they are colorable and they are available also in bio-compatible grades.
By combining the
outstanding aesthetic quality and the easy processability, XEGLASS 17 grades meet the requirements of sport, consumer and industrial goods sectors.
German Drinking Water Standard Compliant TPEs
Monprene® RG-14000 Series Compounds from Teknor Apex meet stringent German standards for drinking water applications and can be used in a wide range of extruded, molded, and over-molded components for potable-water uses.
They are certified for cold-water (23°C) and warm-water (60°C) applications in accordance with
Germany’s KTW (Kontakt mit Trinkwasser) guideline for hygienic assessment of organic materials in contact with drinking water.
These materials can be used for flexible or elastic components used in residential or commercial applications. Some examples are shower heads, plumbing seals and gaskets, membranes, valves, pipe fittings and connectors, and hoses.
Medical-grade TPEs – Healthy Growing Segment
The healthcare market depends on the reliable and secure supply of controlled raw materials which must
fulfill especially demanding standards w.r.t safety, biocompatibility, toxicity and more. In
medical sector, TPE materials:
- Enhances the ergonomic and aesthetic properties of medical devices
- Adds new functionalities, and
- Provides the design freedom and cost savings associated with parts consolidation.
Recent TPE developments include:
Check Out the Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) Grades