Light Effect TPE fuels design innovation in smart electronics

Electronic brands share a common vision: to advance innovation in line with consumers' changing lifestyles and functional needs, such as quick response, device integration, connectivity, aesthetics, and personal identity. As electronics evolve toward more seamless and intuitive use, many now feature touch-sensitive or gesture-responsive interfaces, often enhanced with soft-glow elements for low-light visibility and pivoting away from conventional buttons or controls.

KRAIBURG TPE, a global manufacturer of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and customized material solutions for various industries, offers TPEs that meet the flexibility, durability, and design needs of next-generation electronics. Taking style possibilities a step further, its Light Effect TPE series aims to provide light-transmissive functionality for a range of electronic components.

Smart electronics design materials for light transmission and enhanced user experience

The Light Effect TPE series has versatile applications in smart electronics, serving both visibility and aesthetic purposes to enhance user experience. It enables light signals to pass through housings or straps, helping maintain a clean, integrated design. In consumer electronics such as remote controls, smart speakers, VR devices, and gaming consoles, Light Effect TPEs create diffused light paths for touch interfaces, soft buttons, or edge lighting, enhancing interactivity and tactile comfort. Smart home devices benefit from glowing borders or backlit icons that indicate status or user input, while mobile accessories such as chargers, earbud cases, and protective gear can feature illuminated logos, indicators, or customizable RGB effects.

The Light Effect TPE series, with exceptional light transmissibility, renders lighting enhancement in electronic components and smart devices such as smartwatches, smartphones, and home assistants, creating a harmonious blend of functionality and design. The specialized compounds also exhibit superior physical and mechanical properties, including a density of 0.89 ± 0.03 g/cm³, hardness of 60 ± 5 ShA, tensile strength of 10 MPa, and elongation at break of 700%. Featuring excellent adhesion to polypropylene (PP) and a UV and weathering resistance rating of DE 1.20 (350h), the material ensures longevity and maintains performance over time, offering both flexibility and durability.

Soft-touch ergonomics and design flexibility

The Light Effect TPE series combines soft-touch ergonomics with design flexibility, making it ideal for wearable technologies such as smartwatches, fitness bands, and health trackers, as well as handheld devices. It offers a smooth, comfortable surface even during prolonged skin contact, while its high moldability allows for detailed designs, giving manufacturers greater freedom to innovate.

Compliance to safety

The Light Effect TPE series adds safeguarding features to products through its flame-retardant properties, resistance to high temperatures up to 85 °C, and compliance with IEC 61249-2-21 standards—making it halogen-free, which is a plus for environmental safety.