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Portfolio grows to 25 TPV bonding grades
Houston (May 21, 2007) – ExxonMobil Chemical has introduced a new softer
version of the Santoprene™ thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) that bond with
engineering thermoplastics (ETPs). Santoprene TPV 45 B100 is the latest
addition to ExxonMobil Chemical‘s rapidly expanding bonding portfolio which
now includes 25 Santoprene TPV grades that bond with ETPs, nylons, metals and
various polyolefins. With demand increasing, additional bonding grades are in
development.
“We have had specific requests from OEMs and product designers in the computer
peripherals, cell phone, personal care and stationery products sectors for an
even softer, more tactile version of the Santoprene TPV grades that bond with
ETPs. Importantly, they want this extra softness to be combined with the
physical properties that only a true TPV material can provide,” said Bill
Ramsey, global marketing segment manager, Santoprene brand TPVs.
This new softer Santoprene TPV has been designed for applications which
require a very soft touch feel and strong bonding to ETP materials including
polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylonitrile
styrene acrylate (ASA), acrylic (PMMA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
An advantage of this Santoprene TPV grade is its processing performance. With
good mold design, better looking components can be produced with fewer flow
marks.
This softer Santoprene TPV retains its high quality performance properties in
various environments including hot air, oil and aqueous solutions. Properties
include: long-term sealability and high bond strength to extend the product
lifetime; a durable slip-resistant, soft touch feel; chemical resistance; and,
minimal high temperature deformation.
In overmolding applications, the new grade eliminates the need for adhesives,
bonding agents and physical or mechanical interlocks. This reduces processing
steps which can improve product development cycle times and reduce system
costs. Additional benefits include easy colorability, design flexibility and
improved appearance.
“We understand the growing market requirements for TPVs, as opposed to
uncross-linked TPEs, which can bond to a variety of different substrates using
either two-shot injection molding or insert molding processes. The fully
cross-linked nature of TPVs provides distinctive physical properties and,
because they bond without the need for third-party agents, they can bring
applications to market faster and reduce system costs,” said Ramsey.
As a result of this growing trend, this developmental Santoprene TPV is the
latest of twelve bonding grades that ExxonMobil Chemical has introduced in the
past twelve months.
The Santoprene™ TPV B150 ETP-bonding grades, launched last June exhibit
exceptional bond strength. Even at thicknesses of less than 1mm, the cohesive
bond is stronger than the materials themselves. And because the overmolded
material can be so thin, the B150 grades are increasingly being used as an
alternative to soft-touch paints. These grades also have been overmolded onto
PC inserts for automotive applications such as tail lights. “Since these
grades were introduced, market demand has been well beyond our expectations.”
said Ramsey.
Another ETP bonding grade of Santoprene™ TPV complies with U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) regulations for food contact. The new grade is suitable
for many types of applications which come into contact with food and liquids
including kitchen utensils, cutlery, blenders and processing equipment, food
storage containers, small kitchen appliances such as toasters, kettles and
microwaves, and caps, seals and closures.
For the automotive market, Santoprene TPV 65 B200, bonds to thermoplastic
elastomers (TPE) and EPDM rubber profiles. This grade is designed primarily
for glass run channel corner molding applications. Exhibiting excellent
compression set for good sealing performance, the grade also has good melt
flow properties to produce a glossy, smooth finish which can help harmonize
the look of a car.
All of ExxonMobil Chemical’s bonding grades are available globally ensuring
consistent product quality for customers wherever they are located.
About Santoprene™ brand TPVs
Santoprene™ brand TPVs, produced and sold by affiliates of ExxonMobil
Chemical, are recyclable elastomers commonly used in appliance, automotive,
consumer goods, plumbing, and other applications. ExxonMobil Chemical’s
Santoprene™ brand TPVs are the global leader in engineered TPEs, materials
with the performance of rubber and the processing ease of plastic.
ExxonMobil Chemical offers customers one of the industry's broadest portfolios
of specialty elastomer products. This includes Santoprene™ brand TPVs,
Vistamaxx™ specialty elastomers, Vistalon™ EPDM (conventional and metallocene
catalyst), Exxelor™ modifiers, and Exact™ plastomers. These products provide
innovative elastomeric solutions combined with global support service in
material selection, design, processing, and supply chain management, plastics
technology, product quality and customer service with marketing operations
around the world. For more information visit: www.santoprene.com and
www.exxonmobilchemical.com.
Note to editors:-
Santoprene is a trademark of an Exxon Mobil Corporation affiliate.
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The term "ExxonMobil Chemical" refers collectively to some or all of the
companies affiliated with Exxon Mobil Corporation which have chemical
manufacturing and/or marketing operations around the world.
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Further information on engineered thermoplastic elastomers and vulcanizates
can be obtained from www.santoprene.com.
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