Thermoplastic elastomers. (Materials).

Engineered thermoplastic elastomers have been developed that form chemical bonds to textiles, numerous metals and other materials, eliminating the need for adhesives. This development is said to open significant opportunities in a number of markets for TPEs by allowing for greater design flexibility and reducing assembly costs through parts consolidation. The Santoprene TPE enhanced bonding grades employ heat and pressure instead of adhesives to achieve a bond to a variety of substrates, including coated fabrics (adhesive/epoxy spin-finished polyester or standard nylon fibers), aluminum, brass, copper and cold-rolled, galvanized and stainless steel, and etched fluoropolymers. These injection-molding and extrusion elastomers support textile-and metal-based applications that would benefit from a bonded layer of engineered TPE, according to the company. Advantages are said to include good sealability, chemical and temperature resistance, flexibility and flex fatigue resistance, sound damping and insulation, and soft-touch characteristics. (Advanced Elastomer Systems, L.P.)

Circle 116 on card