New Hexpol TPE compounds address trends in transport, medical sectors

SWEDEN- At Fakuma in October, HEXPOL TPE is expected to bring an array of properties and design possibilities via their portfolio of customised TPEs. Visitors to Hall B1 stand 1217 will be able to experience the flexibility, transparency, adhesion and processability of  Dryflex, Lifoflex and Mediprene range of compounds based on TPS, TPO and TPV technologies. These new unique compounds address growing trends and application requirements in important market sectors.

The German arm of HEXPOL TPE, Müller Kunststoffe, will present the latest advances in its Lifoflex FLAM range of flame retardant TPEs. The compounds are free from halogens and antimony oxide; therefore they do not produce corrosive and toxic gases such as hydrochloric acid or aromatic bromine in case of fire. They conform to UL94 V0 and European directives 2011/65/EU (RoHS) and 2003/11/EC at various wall thicknesses, including very soft grades that fulfil UL 94 V0 at 3.0 and 1.5mm. For 2K applications, Lifoflex FLAM grades have been developed for adhesion to technical polymers such as ABS, PC, PBT and PA.

The Lifoflex FLAM 700 series has been especially designed for applications inside of railway vehicles (profiles, cable grommets, connectors, electrical insulation). The compounds have been tested to DIN 5510-2:2009-05, a preventive fire protection test in railway vehicles, and received the following classifications: Flammability S3; Drip Formation ST2; and Smoke Formation SR2. The DIN EN ISO 5659-2 fume toxicity test yielded an FED classification of 0.14 (max. permissible: ≤ 1) for the tested material (tzul = 30min).

ELASTO Sweden operates HEXPOL TPE’s centre of excellence for medical TPE compounds. At Fakuma, the company’s medical team will show advances in its Mediprene range of TPE compounds for medical device applications. Mediprene TPE compounds are sterilizable with gamma, EtO and steam and representative grades have passed cytotoxicity tests according to ISO 10993-5 and biocompatibility tests according to USP Class VI. Mediprene TPEs have also proven to be strong alternatives as replacement for PVC; they are completely synthetic and latex free thereby minimizing allergy risks. Mediprene TPEs are seeing growing demand in catheter, tubing and syringe plunger seal applications.

The UK operation, ELASTO UK has developed specialist knowledge for the building and construction industry. Among the solutions they will present at Fakuma are Dryflex TPE compounds optimised for extrusion profiles for glazing. They offer fast and efficient processing, giving high output rates. They are suitable for static and dynamic applications with grades that meet the requirements for RAL GZ 716/1 class IV and V standards. Dryflex WS hydrophilic TPEs are another growing area for ELASTO UK. These compounds swell at a controlled rate and percentage when immersed in water, with swell rates from 300 to 1000%. When there is no longer water present the compound shrinks back to its original size, a process that can be repeated an almost unlimited number of times. The compounds are being used in water stop applications in a number of large scale construction projects.