Prospector Resin Blend November 16, 2006

In this issue:

• TPE Fundamentals: Understanding & Selecting
• Conductive TPEs Offer Advanced Solutions
• Successful TPE Molding
• Optimal Overmolding Grades & Substrate Considerations

This is our first issue about Thermoplastic Elastomers. These materials are being used more frequently in the products we use every day. It appears that use of TPEs will continue to grow.

A special thanks to our friends at RTP Company for providing the helpful articles below.

Warmest wishes,
Your IDES Team

TPE Fundamentals: Understanding & Selecting

Part 1: Understanding TPE's
Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs) are a class of polymers that have the attributes of thermoset rubber but the ability to be processed using thermoplastic methods allowing for innovative part design. RTP Company takes an in-depth look at TPE fundamentals in this article allowing you to explore the various hard and soft domains that make-up TPE materials and affect properties and performance.  More importantly, you will discover how lower cost TPE materials can give you better performance when specific criteria is accurately identified and addressed, such as:

Part 2: Choosing the Correct TPE
There are a variety of TPE technologies available offering a wide range of mechanical properties and end-use performance. In may cases, the performance range of different TPE polymers overlap and make specific grade selection uncertain.

Knowing how a material will be used in its end-use application is imperative during the material selection process. RTP Company product development engineers are well versed in seeking out the information necessary to ensure an appropriate material is recommended. They’ve developed a TPE Application Checklist to help you prepare thoughtful answers to common questions. Topics include:

Conductive TPEs Offer Advanced Solutions

In addition to the variety of TPE technologies available from RTP, there are a number of conductive additive technologies to choose from when your application requires conductive properties.  Only RTP Company combines its broad TPE technology portfolio with proven conductive technologies to offer an unmatched line of permanently anti-static (static dissipative), conductive (ESD protection), and EMI shielding TPE products. View the full article.

Successful TPE Molding

Obtaining rubber like performance with the processing ease of injection molding is the primary benefit of TPEs. Improved cycle times and reduced scrap rates are the result and allow for improved part economics. Generally, TPEs can be molded using standard TP processing equipment. General purpose screws are acceptable and press tonnage should ideally be 2.0 to 3.0 tons of clamp force per square inch projected over the total surface area.

TPEs are shear responsive and exhibit low viscosity when processed at high shear rates. This is an especially important factor when filling thinner walls, longer flow lengths, and overmolding situations. The one exception to this rule is with urethane-based TPEs.

More details on tooling and processing of TPEs are available in RTP Company’s TPE Mold Design and Processing Conditions guide available here.

Optimal Overmolding Grades & Substrate Considerations