Polyone's new TPE brings tough resistance to nylon grips

PolyOne brought significant improvement to existing thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) technology that will help products with nylon grips deliver superior resistance to oil and abrasion with its  new GLS Versaflex OM TPE. The  material bonds tightly to nylon substrates to deliver a soft, yet resilient grip for safety, ergonomics and comfort. Material testing shows that it surpasses other TPEs on the market in resisting the oil and abrasion often encountered with demanding usage.

Many products, from industrial tools to suitcases, use nylon grips that benefit greatly from the tactile qualities of overmolded TPEs, according to Charles Page, director of global marketing, PolyOne GLS Thermoplastic Elastomers. With the new PolyOne technology, these grips can perform well under tough usage conditions over the life of the product.

Testing under ASTM D3389 proved that this new material delivers 40 percent better abrasion resistance than a leading competitor’s product, as well as incumbent GLS nylon overmolding grades.

Versaflex OM also allows for lower processing temperatures to achieve superior bond strength. Using two-shot or insert molding, the material bonds tightly without adhesives to most standard nylons, as well as heat-stabilized, lubricated, glass-filled and impact-modified versions.

Available in translucent and black formulations, this new overmolding TPE grade can be custom colored to meet aesthetic and branding needs. With a standard Shore A hardness of 60, the material can be customized to other hardness levels to meet specific customer requirements.