CLEVELAND—PolyOne Corp. worked with an independent testing lab to determine how well its new Versaflex XP thermoplastic elastomer acted in a phone case application compared to thermoplastic polyurethanes.
The Versaflex TPE absorbed up to 10 percent more impact than TPU at drop heights of 4-8 feet, and more than 25 percent more impact at 10-14 feet, according to a PolyOne news release. The tests also showed a Versaflex case dropped from 14 feet performed nearly the same as a TPU case dropped from 10 feet.
The test involved two iPhone 6/7 cases dropped from an industry-standard range of heights from 4-14 feet. Both iPhone cases used TPU on the exterior, while the control case used TPU on the interior and the second used TPE on the interior. A Shinyei Technology Drop Tower D-202 Series dropped each phone case three times on the same corner of the phone at each drop height.
To compare performance, the internal iPhone accelerometer measured the peak G impact force upon the phones when dropped. The lower the peak G value, the less potential damage is done to the phone.
PolyOne said the TPEs allow designers, engineers and product managers to improve abrasion resistance and design thinner cases.
PolyOne is a provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions. For more information, visit polyone.com.