Thermoplastic vulcanizates combine the advantages of thermoplastic processing with rubber-like properties, but in high-performance applications, especially when chemical and temperature resistance are required, performance is not as good. So to fill this Blank, GUM has developed a thermoplastic elastomer blend. Also, last week, the company demonstrated the technology at Fakuma in Friedrichshafen, Germany, and senior development director Frieder Vielsack explained The origin of the technology and how the substance benefits from the customer.
Frieder Vielsack, Senior Director of R&D at GEM, oversees the development of thermoplastic elastomer hybrid platforms
Vielsack said that GUMBERG has been looking for a way to eliminate the shortcomings of the traditional EPDM/PP blends (EPDM / PP) over the past 15 years. By exploring, we learned about a decade ago about Hipex. Development (Hipex is a mixture that can withstand temperatures up to 150 ° C and is resistant to oils and greases) has been inspired. Afterwards, Vielsack also explained: 'Hipex has been very successful in some small cars and construction applications. But it's not the (integrated) solution we want. ' However, the inspiration for our research and development milestones came from a sister company, Gummiwerk, a supplier of technical rubber compounds.
Vielsack stressed: 'My colleague at Gummiwerk uses production technology as the connection point, the chemicals used, the curing system and the plasticizer mixture. Therefore, our approach has shifted to developing a suitable production technology that can handle elasticity. All base polymers for body and thermoplastic surfaces. A thermoplastic elastomer hybrid (TEH) material platform has been developed. It is worth noting that the technology itself is carried out around the platform rather than the material itself, ie elastomers and thermoplastics. The raw materials are placed in a thermoplastic mold. '
As described in the German press, TEH's manufacturing technology combines different blends of elastomers and thermoplastics with their respective cross-linking systems to form materials that achieve unprecedented performance in relation to media and temperature resistance. Another advantage is the ability to customize the material's property profile based on the customer's various applications.
TEH materials have a hardness of 55 to 80 Shore and can withstand permanent operating temperatures up to 150 ° C (302 ° F) while still being chemically exposed when exposed to oils, lubricants, fuels and coolants. Among them, this material is mainly used in lubrication and cooling systems in automotive parts, machinery and buildings, as well as seals and gaskets. Vielsack added: Electric vehicles offer a lot of opportunities for these materials, and, because it is A new technology, manufacturers are not caught in the idea of 'doing this century of practice in this way', but are willing to explore various possibilities. Gumbo also said: 'Powertrain in electric vehicles And the battery thermal management system provides a more direct application for this material.'
Vielsack points out that although hybrid materials are a very attractive alternative to rubber in some applications, they are not a comprehensive replacement. Because of the advantages of fast compression set and high mechanical properties, rubber is used in some applications. It is still valid. So TPE is not able to compete with rubber in areas where these characteristics are critical. For example, it is meaningless to replace a compression molded rubber O-ring with a TEH substitute. But if the O-ring is shaped The other part, then it is another matter.
The technology also covers multi-component applications of technical plastics such as polyamides and thermoplastic polyesters, and is compatible with traditional injection molding and extrusion lines. Vielsack also points out that these parts do not require secondary processing (removing the flash and gate) ), and can be recycled, the standard color of its production materials is mostly black and natural.
Vielsack added that GUM has established a pilot production line as a proof of concept. 'We tested various combinations of elastomers and TPEs, proved this concept through our pilot line, and collected a lot of fits Knowledge of material combinations for specific applications,' Vielsack said.
Vielsack said that the initiative is now in the hands of customers, and if there is any indication of the reaction of the German Plastics Processing Exhibition, they all hope to speed up the pace. Vielsack also said: 'We have deepened this technology at the German Plastics Processing Exhibition. Discussion, then we will open a seminar to develop the application. ' .