WALDKRAIBURG, Germany—Kraiburg TPE GmbH & Co. K.G. has introduced a new thermoplastic elastomer family that is being used in flexible cable management systems in motor vehicles.
Waldkraiburg-based Kraiburg said the Thermolast K family offers co-extruded TPEs that feature excellent adhesion to polyamides, with one end result being high-quality corrugated Polyflex tubes produced by the Schlemmer Group of Munich.
"We were looking for a TPE that not only provides the necessary heat resistance and cold toughness for use in motor vehicles, but can also be extruded economically—without the use of bonding agents—with polyamide," said Michaela Zagler, material development specialist at Schlemmer Group. "Thermolast K materials provide this combination of properties."
Kraiburg said direct adhesion of thermoplastic elastomers to polar plastics, such as polyamides, requires careful selection of the two components and matching them to both application and processing method.
Applications for the co-extruded TPE also include injection molded gaskets, mounting elements, cable bushings and membranes. According to Kraiburg, the products that combine TPEs and polyamides in extrusion also are defined by an "outstanding compression set," resisting peak temperatures of up to 150ºC for short periods.
The products—including the new corrugated tubes produced by Schlemmer Group—feature high elongation at break, tear strength and resistance to tear propogation, as well as a surface quality that is resistant to wear, Kraiburg said.
To learn more visit the Kraiburg TPE website.
The New Products blog showcases innovations suppliers are introducing to the rubber industry. It focuses on new materials, machinery, molds, testing equipment, software, and other goods and services that are intended to help manufacturers of finished rubber products. The blog will appear on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To have your product considered for the blog, contact Online Content Editor Erin Pustay Beaven at [email protected] or Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].