KRAIBURG TPE has developed an innovative material technology that can produce very low density thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), and on this basis, created three new production lines for the production of ultra-light parts of the same type, In order to meet the growing demands of automotive construction and other application fields.
In order to further reduce the CO2 emissions of automobiles, improve fuel economy and the mileage of new models, automakers have been looking for ultra-lightweight solutions, especially the unsprung weight in and on the vehicle. Therefore, expandable materials including TPE are often used. However, in order to achieve uniform surface quality and no ripples, strict process control procedures are required.
KRAIBURG TPE uses innovative TPE technology, using 3M ™ glass foam materials with very low density (between 0.7 and 0.9 g / cm3) to produce ultra-lightweight thin-walled model products. These products have good surface quality and can withstand mechanical loads. This tiny hollow glass bubble, made of borosilicate glass with stable chemical properties and insoluble in water, can be evenly distributed in the TPE matrix, which helps to improve dimensional stability. Through existing injection molding machines and extruders, new lightweight TPE materials can be processed and cost-effective. The weight of the products produced is obviously reduced, the appearance quality is good, and it has excellent compression set value. Production waste can be directly used for recycling.
KRAIBURG TPE launched the world's first such TPE product, which includes three specific series:
(1) THERMOLAST® K LW / UV (light weight + UV resistance), specially designed for automotive exterior parts.
(2) THERMOLAST®K LW / CS / UV (light weight + compression set value improvement + UV radiation resistance stability), this series of products have excellent resilience, strong adhesion to polypropylene, especially suitable for various seals application.
(3) THERMOLAST® K LW / PA (lightweight + adhesion to polyamide), in line with UL94 flame retardant grade requirements. For example, it can be used for ideal power tools.
KRAIBURG TPE's three THERMOLAST®K lightweight series products are now available worldwide. KRAIBURG TPE project manager Martina Hetterich said: "As a weight-reducing filler, 3M ™ glass bubbles have been tested and tested in various 'hard' thermoplastics. However, we have used them for TPE materials for the first time through new lightweight technologies Medium. We will work with our partner 3M ™ to bring our TPE products to new markets. "