WALDKRAIBURG, Germany—Kraiburg TPE GmbH & Co. K.G. has released two new compounds designed for the wire and cable industry.
Thermolast K UL/LD/b is designed for demanding industrial outdoor use, while the Thermolast K FR1 and FR2 series are both halogen-free TPEs that comply with the UL94 V0 standard for flame retardancy.
Its Thermolast K UL/LD/b series was created for applications requiring a higher level of ultraviolet resistance. A spokeswoman said in an email that the line intends to minimize and remove discoloration that traditional TPEs were experiencing, primarily in the automotive market. She said the product is very well-suited for applications such as cowls, roof rims, water deflectors and window encapsulations. The material can be used in other markets where applications require weathering resistance.
The line consists of eight different compounds ranging from 32 Shore A to 35 Shore D.
The material has been tested according to PV3930, which is a stringent accelerated weathering test standard in the automotive sector. Beyond automotive, the spokeswoman said the line is used in both electrical engineering and electronics applications like connectors, switch boxes and flush-mounted sockets.
"They combine UV and moisture resistance with superior adhesion to polyolefins while having a broad hardness range and good compression set performance at both room temperature and elevated temperatures," the spokeswoman said. "For cables boots, often manufacturers require flexibility in the material to provide proper strain relief, and this material offers this advantage."
The firm's K FR1 and FR2 series were designed to provide customers self-extinguishing materials, primarily for the building and construction segment.