WALDKRAIBURG, Germany—Kraiburg TPE has customized its Thermolast K thermoplastic elastomer compounds to meet the needs of a U.S. dog toy manufacturer.
The German compounder said it worked with a U.S. dog toy maker to address challenges such as offering "uncompromising processing characteristics, high flowability, tear strength, adhesion to PA6 and coloring."
Thermolast K compound was selected as the material of choice as it can be "precisely tailored to the hard material and eliminates the need for bonding agents even when overmolded to semi-crystalline resins, such PA6 or PA66."
Additionally, the natural grade selected for the dog treat conk can be colored in "brilliant, rich shades" and offer a scratch resistant surface, Kraiburg TPE added.
"In terms of mechanical properties, we were able to customize the compound to the exact level of hardness and flexibility required to achieve the desired soft feel and resilience," Kevin Gase, sales and marketing director of Kraiburg TPE Americas, said in a statement.
Another important specification to be met was the customer's request for a domestic product in line with non-toxicity.
The TPE compound, Kraiburg said, is manufactured its Buford, Ga., plant "with strict standards of quality and purity."
In addition to being compliant to REACH and RoHS, the recyclable compound is free of phthalates, halogens, latex or heavy metals.