AES commercializes new grade of TPE for vehicle interiors

DETROIT (May 17)—Advanced Elastomer Systems L.P. introduced its new M300 family of Santoprene thermoplastic elastomers for use in soft-touch, molded interior applications at the Automotive & Transportation Interior Expo in Detroit. The new grade gives off only half the vapors or ``fogging´´ of competitive commercial TPEs and because of its high-flow characteristics reduces or eliminates part flow lines and gate blemishes, AES said. The M300 materials initially are only available in black, but Advanced Elastomers will create a new polymer with colorability features, which could be on the market as early as the fourth quarter, said John Christensen, automotive marketing manager for North America.