Materials (February 01, 2004)

Super-soft TPVs now available

The Uniprene series of compounds is the softest line of TPV compounds on the market. Compared with the softest conventional TPVs, which are rated around 45 Shore A, three grades in the new Uniprene 2000 series have durometer ratings of 15, 25 and 35 Shore A.

“Until now, manufacturers who needed exceptional softness in applications like grips, gaskets and weatherstripping were limited to non-crosslinked TPEs, such as those based on styrene block copolymers,” says Keith Saunders, program manager at Teknor Apex. “The new Uniprene compounds not only provide comparable softness, but perform better at elevated temperatures.”

Saunders reports that the Uniprene 2000 series also provide greater resistance to oils and solvents, improved abrasion resistance and a softer, dryer feel compared to other TPEs of similar hardness.

Teknor Apex 401-725-8000

Metal injection molding compounds streamline production

Aero Molding and Machining (Ridgefield, NJ) recently began using RTP’s PowderFlo metal injection molding (MIM) compounds to streamline its production of firearms. PowderFlo compounds differ from traditional MIM feedstocks in that they use organic aqueous agar as a binder. Traditional MIM materials use wax- or polymer-based binders to carry the powdered metal particulates in a state viscous enough for injection molding. Parts produced by these traditional MIM materials must undergo a lengthy solvent or thermal debinding stage.

In contrast, PowderFlo materials only require simple air-drying as the debinding step. Aero used RTPMIM 17-4PH series stainless steel to replace traditional wax-based MIM material. A short pre-sintering step was all that was necessary to debind the parts. Additionally, the green parts held their form well, allowing Aero to hang the parts during furnace sintering.

RTP Company 507-454-6900