Key Questions to Ask When Ordering thermoplastic compounds

Your TPE material selection will directly impact the look, feel and performance of your part. Specifying the wrong material can result in launch delays or product failure, so it’s essential to get it right from the start. With a wide range of subcategories and different types of materials, choosing the right TPE for your application can be a difficult task.

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By evaluating the following criteria, industrial designers, engineers and project managers can narrow their decisions and prioritize which materials and polymer technologies make the most sense for their project, timeline and budget.

The end-use environment will help resolve your most basic project needs. While automotive interior parts are protected from outdoor weather, they are still exposed to UV sunlight and extreme temperatures. Similarly, a child’s sippy cup made with food-contact approved TPE may not encounter harsh outdoor elements, but it will need to endure dishwasher temperatures and repeated washing.

Consider these factors to see if any TPE additives or effects are needed:

• Temperature requirements and length of exposure.
• UV exposure levels.
• Types of chemical exposure (acids, bases, alcohol, oil, cleaning agents, etc.)
• Risk of microbial growth.
• Risk of flammability.
• Is this a single-use product, or will it be used multiple times? Reusable parts may need to withstand demanding use cycles.

5. Be Aware of All Regulatory Compliances

To ensure consumers’ health, manufacturers across several industries must comply with various rules and regulations in regard to the TPE materials used in their applications. Only by meeting these requirements will your product be lawfully placed on the market. An experienced TPE supplier can help select suitable materials that meet common standards, including:

• FDA and EU food contact compliance
• FDA toy safety compliance
• NSF/ANSI 51 – Food equipment material compliance
• NSF/ANSI 61 – Drinking water system components compliance
• UL certification – Various types, including flammability
• ISO and USP Class VI – Biocompatibility of medical devices
• Proposition 65 – Warns California residents about potential exposures to carcinogens and reproductive toxins
• REACH SVHC and RoHS Compliance – Restricted substances in the EU

6. Commit to a Manufacturing Process Method

Informing your thermoplastic elastomer manufacturer of your intended manufacturing process can help save time and money. TPEs are physically – not chemically – cross-linked, so they are easy to process. Most TPEs can be tailored for injection molding, blow molding or extrusion processes to meet established production goals. A TPE’s morphology, weight and viscosity can affect processing speed and quality. Supplies, such as plastic pellets, also come matched to equipment.

Tailored Solutions Focused On Your Market

As a major thermoplastic compound supplier, Americhem offers a comprehensive portfolio of thermoplastic elastomers that includes custom-developed TPE-S, TPE-O, SEBS, SEPS, SBCs, TPU, TPV, and fluoroelastomers. Our market-oriented solutions are designed to meet the most demanding applications of the automotive, building and construction, consumer products, food and beverage, medical, sporting equipment, marine, agriculture and off-road industries. Ask us how we can bring a fresh perspective to your next project.

Proven Stage-Gate® Approach To Innovation

Given the extensive amount of variables that come into play when selecting TPEs, Americhem uses a Stage-Gate® process and risk model to recommend and develop polymer technologies that ensure successful market launches. Our customer-driven approach ensures that our material science experts have vital questions answered throughout each stage to understand what main benefits are essential for your application.

The company is the world’s best thermoplastic compounds supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Depending on your application or end-use environment, you may already know if you need an SBC compound versus a TPV, but how do you choose the right grade? 

TPEs can be custom-formulated to fit an extremely wide range of performance requirements, so choosing the right TPE can be tricky – even for the experts!

We always start with an outline of the application’s requirements, and then translate them into material requirements. 

1.  Intent for TPE Selection:  New Grade or Material Replacement

It’s important to understand what material is currently being used, for example PVC or silicone rubber, or even another TPE and where improvements are needed or if there’s a price target. 

If this is a brand new application for a TPE, note any functional or performance requirements.

2.  Manufacturing Process: Formulating for Processability

Consider how the part will be manufactured and assembled.  TPE formulations are adjusted based on how the material is processed, and can be tailored for injection molding, extrusion, or blow molding. 

Specialty high-flow TPEs have been developed for complex parts with thin and thick sections or severe undercuts.

If the TPE will be over-molded or co-extruded onto another material, that substrate material is important to know.  A TPE that bonds well to nylon won’t necessarily adhere to polycarbonate. 

Contact us to discuss your requirements of low smoke zero halogen lszh. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.