A weekly look at new products, innovations

Editor's note: Each week, Rubber & Plastics News will take a look at some of the rubber industry's new products and innovations on www.rubbernews.com. Does your company have a new product or new innovation? To be considered for inclusion in this recurring feature, email [email protected].

Struktol Company of America has launched several additive products suitable for recycled and recycle-content plastics. They include:

• Struktol TR 229: for use in both polycarbonate and PC/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene blends as well as nylon 6 and 6,6 compounds.

• Struktol TR 219: for use in nylon 6 and 6,6 compounds. Struktol said it also has been found to be effective in polyethylene terephthalate compounds, especially recycled applications or in cases where PET is contaminated with other plastics.

• Struktol RP 11: a lubricant package that provides a combination of viscosity reduction and mold release characteristics for polypropylene-based resins and compounds. Processors using RP 11 will benefit from the versatility provided, allowing greater use of regrind or recycled content without sacrificing certain properties or performance, the company said.

• Struktol RP 17: a combination lubricant and odor neutralizing mask, was originally designed for reducing/eliminating compounding and end-product odors in wood-filled plastic compounds. The product has been modified for use in a variety of polymer resins and compounds that require the multi-functionality of lubrication, mold release and odor reduction.

• Struktol RP 28: a compatibilizer and blending aid beneficial for incorporation of regrind/recycled product for a wide range of polymers. Processors can realize improved physical properties and overall improved processability of compounds requiring some level of recycled content, Struktol said.

• Struktol TR 063A: targeted for nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 compounds and boasts a novel chemistry, which makes it highly compatible with polyamides and is superior in performance to alternative lubricants such as montan ester waxes.

• TR251: a multi-functional additive offering a unique blend of anionic and ionic surfactant with lubricant for use in both polyolefins and engineered plastics for overall flow enhancement. It is also an effective dispersant and wetting agent for pigments and fillers where increased filler content is desired, the company said. Its functionality also benefits recycle and recycle-content compounds. Loading levels as low as 0.5 percent result in significant spiral flow improvement in both virgin and recycled polymers.

For more information, visit www.4struktol.com.

APS Elastomers unveiled a line of halogen-free, flame retardant TPE-S (styrenic block copolymer thermoplastic elastomer), TPV (thermoplastic vulcanizate) and TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) for consumer and industrial electronic power cords and auxiliary cables.

APS Elastomers said specific applications for the HFFR-Series of TPE-S, TPVs and TPUs include mining cables, sensor cables, power plugs, charger cables, electronic power cords, battery cables, robotic cables and ribbon wire.

Available in hardness range of Shore A 60 to Shore A 96 the new grades are easy to process and have good surface quality, conform to UL ratings and comply with RoHS standards, the company claims.

For more information on TPE-S as well as TPU, TPE and TPV, email APS Elastomers [email protected]

Teknor Apex Co. has introduced the Halguard E 59000 Series HFFR compounds, a series of low-smoke, flame-retardant thermoplastic elastomers that enables manufacturers of power and other flexible cords to produce non-PVC insulation and jacketing that do not contain halogenated flame retardants or phthalate plasticizers, while avoiding the processing limitations of highly filled halogen-free flame retardant polyolefin compounds.

The Halguard E 59000 Series HFFR compounds contain no plasticizers, Teknor Apex said, but compare well with plasticized PVC in mechanical and electrical performance. They are based on polymer chemistry different from the polyolefins in other HFFR compounds, and they incorporate intumescent flame retardant formulations rather than the metal hydrate fillers used to render the polyolefin products flame retardant.

Teknor Apex recommends Halguard E 59000 Series compounds for flexible cords, appliance wire, power cords for computers, HDMI cables for televisions and wiring for device chargers and USB connectors, as well as other specialty cable applications.

Among available grades in the series are three that meet different needs:

● Halguard E 59001 is designed for cords that meet UL 62 requirements and for appliance wire that complies with UL 758;

● Halguard E 59002 has a higher oxygen index than the E 59001 compound and provides better flame properties, but it does not meet the UL 62 oil test;

● Halguard E 59010 exhibits a volume resistivity that is high, even in water, making it well suited for insulation, Teknor Apex said.

For more information, go to www.teknorapex.com.