AES, Troester unveil co-extruded profile system

BRUSSELS, Belgium (July 18)—Advanced Elastomer Systems N.V./S.A., in collaboration with German machine maker Paul Troester Maschinenfabrik, has developed a single-step co-extrusion process to manufacture hybrid thermoplastic vulcanizate/cured rubber profiles. Aimed at automotive and construction sealing applications, the process produces hybrid profiles with excellent dimensional stability and interfacial adhesion, AES said. The equipment, developed at the Troester Technology Center in Hanover, comprises a 60-millimeter plastic extruder and a 90-millimeter vacuum extruder for EPDM compounds. The extruders are fitted with a special die head to combine both materials simultaneously, producing a profile, which passes through a standard vulcanization unit to cure the EPDM fully.