Recently, PolyOne introduced a new thermoplastic elastomer material that prevents blue jeans from staining white and light-colored mobile phone cases.
Michelle Hearn, director of global marketing for PolyOne Engineered Materials, said: 'Leading branded mobile phone shells have been looking for a blue jeans dye-resistant material that offers greater design freedom. In addition to our dye-resistant thermoplastic elastomers, In addition to improving design capabilities, it also provides supply chain flexibility and ease of handling, which is what brands need to quickly and efficiently bring their white and light-colored phone cases to market.
The use of VersaflexTM CE3320-70 thermoplastic elastomers helps brands avoid the purchase and manufacture of silicones. It is also the only thermoplastic material that can withstand blue denim dyeing when applied to white and light-colored mobile phone cases.
Brands using silicone or TPU materials have been looking for alternatives for a variety of reasons, including long lead times and processing challenges for silicones, and the TPU's inability to overcome contact with blue jeans without dyeing.
In order to test the effectiveness of the material, PolyOne used the same rigorous test method for measuring blue jeans on the car seat. The VersaflexTM CE3320-70 showed no signs of staining, comparable to the industry standard white silicone shell.
In addition to dyeing the blue jeans, the new Versaflex CE material also provides the manufacturer with the required properties on consumer materials. It withstands ultraviolet light and can withstand sunscreen, hand sanitizer and isopropyl alcohol. This recyclable thermoplastic is also faster than silicone, and it also adheres well to polycarbonate during overmolding.
This new Versaflex product can be pre-colored according to specifications or used with PolyOne's OnColorTM masterbatch, colorant.