At the TPE Topcon conference in Fairlawn from September 19th to 20th, Lubrizol was one of several companies focused on new thermoplastic elastomer materials.
Lubrizol, based in Wickliffe, Ohio, recently introduced a new medical thermoplastic polyurethane material, Tecobax. Application engineer Walid Qaqish said the material has the strength, versatility and biocompatibility required for the medical market. .
By definition, Tecobax is an aliphatic polyether TPU. Qaqish adds that its heat capacity is higher than typical aromatic TPU and can be used for extrusion and injection molding.
Tecobax materials can be used in catheters and other medical applications where the material meets the non-softening, hot workability and kink resistance properties required by medical customers. Qaqish says Tecobax also has torsion, which affects the catheter Important characteristics of the ability to pass the human vascular system.
According to market development manager Bing Yang, new hydrogenated medical styrenic block copolymers (SBCs) are available at Kraton Performance Polymers in Houston. He said the new SBCs expand the company's medical Production of pipes and film materials.
Yang explained that the new materials have good compatibility with polypropylene, have good kink resistance, and have higher melt flow than other competing materials. They can also be used as impact modifiers. Or PVC substitutes.
Yang said that other advantages of the new hydrogenated medical styrenic block copolymers (SBCs) include improved color and clarity performance.
Chris La Tulippe, senior application development specialist at Teknor Apex, Pawtucket, RI, said the company is producing Sarlink thermoplastic vulcanizates for sealing applications. This material can replace automotive window glass seals. EPDM rubber, weight can be reduced by 30%.
La Tulippe added that Sarlink has better durability and better contact with glass. He said EPDM has an average weight of 6.9 pounds in glass seals, while the average weight of Sarlink thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) is It is 4.8 lb. The foamed TPV can further reduce the weight to 3.3 lbs.
La Tulippe said: 'For original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), it is worthwhile to reduce the weight of 3.5 pounds.