Thermoplastic Elastomers
TPEs offer flexibility for a variety of industries KRAIBURG TPE, a global TPE manufacturer of a wide range of TPE products and custom solutions for multiple industries, offers TPEs that cater to the surfing equipment industry, medical/healthcare sector, beauty product/pet accessory applications, golfing equipment and consumer food packaging. Making waves in surfing A perfect day for surfers consists of warm sunshine, calm waters, and an off-shore breeze. However, choosing the right board for surfing is crucial and thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) have a variety of properties that make it ideal for use in sports and leisure equipment. KRABURG TPE offers its AD/PAX/CR series that is resistant to skin oils, sunscreen, and olive oils, making it ideal for surfboard applications as well as leashes, foot rings, paddle handles, sealing, and other sports equipment parts. The compound is a solution for two-component seals with good adhesion to nylons such as PA12, PA6 and PA6.6, partially aromatic polyamides (PAX), and polyarylamides (PARA) via the injection moulding process. Meanwhile, the VS/AD/HM series provides smooth riding without the hiccups of scratches or grease. The compound series provides the answer to velvety surfaces and the need for wear resistance. Surfboard pads, fins, earplugs, GPS waterproof covers, and other parts are viable applications for this series. Furthermore, abrasion and scratch resistance are important properties for surfing equipment that must withstand harsh extreme environmental conditions and the sea water. TPEs unleash benefits for pet accessories The pet care market is rapidly expanding as pet ownership increases, as does spending on pet food, grooming tools, and accessories. Pet owners prioritise hygiene and wellness when purchasing products for their pets, setting the stage for manufacturers to provide products made of high-quality, food-safe materials.
14
JUNE 2022
Among the many advanced materials used in product offerings, TPEs have emerged as the best of these breed. They can be used to make pet accessories such as pet toys, bowls, collars, leash handles, training equipment and grooming tools. KRAIBURG TPE offers TPEs that comply with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, US FDA CFR 21 (raw material conformity), China GB4806-2016, and EN71-3. Besides being food-safe, the TPEs meet DIN EN 71-3, REACH, SVHC and RoHS standards. The THERMOLAST K FC/AD/PP series does not contain latex and toxic substances such as heavy metals, phthalates, and bisphenol A, guaranteeing pet owners safe accessories for their pets. Furthermore, it has excellent adhesion to PP, optimised flow properties, and can be processed by injection moulding and extrusion, giving designers more design freedom. The FC/AD/PP series allows for soft touch surfaces with good haptics that are suitable for use on grip applications such as leash handles, pet collars, and other accessories such as pets feeding bowls, toothbrushes, and toys. Meanwhile, the hysteresis property of THERMOLAST K FC/HE/tl makes it ideal for pet chewing toys, as it aids in the preservation of the original shapes after extended use. These translucent compounds, which adhere well to PP and PE, can also be coloured in a variety of ways.