Weight-saving thermoplastic elastomers
Our partner KRAIBURG TPE is introducing the world’s first weight-saving thermoplastic elastomers—light as a feather and foam-free, designed for high-performance components.
KRAIBURG TPE has developed an innovative material technology that produces thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) with very low density. The result is three new product lines for extremely lightweight parts, which are increasingly in demand, particularly in automotive engineering, power tools, and various other applications.
To reduce CO2 emissions from their vehicle fleets and improve the fuel efficiency and range of new models, automakers are constantly seeking lightweight construction solutions specifically for the unsprung masses in and on their vehicles. But in other industries as well—such as power tools, aviation, drones, textiles, and sports, leisure, and outdoor gear—low weight and increased mobility play a decisive role in market success.
For this reason, foaming materials—including TPE—are often used; however, these require very precise process control to achieve a uniform surface finish without streaks.
KRAIBURG TPE has now succeeded in implementing an outstanding new TPE technology using 3M™ Glass Bubbles, which enables the production of feather-light, thin-walled, yet mechanically robust molded parts with excellent surfaces at very low material densities between 0.7 and 0.9 g/cm³.
Glass Bubbles are microscopic hollow spheres made of water-insoluble, chemically stable borosilicate glass that distribute particularly evenly throughout the TPE matrix and also contribute to dimensional stability.
The new lightweight TPEs can be injection molded and extruded cost-effectively on standard equipment. In addition to significant weight savings (see table) and very uniform surfaces, they also deliver excellent compression set values. Production waste is directly recyclable.
KRAIBURG TPE is initially offering the world’s first TPEs of this kind in three specific product lines:
- THERMOLAST® K LW/UV (Lightweight + UV resistance) especially for exterior vehicle components
- THERMOLAST® K LW/CS/UV (Lightweight + improved compression set + UV stability) with excellent adhesion to polypropylene and recovery properties, making this product line particularly well-suited for various sealing applications
- THERMOLAST® K LW/PA (Lightweight + adhesion to polyamides), also available with HB flame retardancy rating according to UL94, ideal for power tools, for example
“3M™ Glass Bubbles have already proven themselves as a weight-saving filler in various ‘hard’ thermoplastics, but our new lightweight technology marks their first use in TPE,” emphasizes Martina Hetterich, Project Manager for Advanced Development at KRAIBURG TPE. “Thanks to the excellent collaboration with our partner 3M™, we have been able to develop formulations that not only meet the current lightweighting and quality requirements of existing customers but also open up entirely new markets for the cost-effective use of our TPE.”
The three new THERMOLAST® K Lightweight series from KRAIBURG TPE are now available from Plastoplan Kunststoffe.
