Single grade of TPE molded over different substrates
Canadian Plastics
The versatility of Tekbond thermoplastic elastomer compounds from Teknor Apex was a key factor in their use on a new Black & Decker electric knife. "The extremely strong bonds created when a Tekbond T...
The versatility of Tekbond thermoplastic elastomer compounds from Teknor Apex was a key factor in their use on a new Black & Decker electric knife. “The extremely strong bonds created when a Tekbond TPE is over-molded onto many types of rigid thermoplastics allowed us to employ a different thermoplastic for the rigid substrate of each component, optimizing the performance of each part without the conventional penalty of having to use dissimilar elastomers,” explains Scott Lutz, senior project engineer with knife’s manufacturer, Household Products Inc.
The cool green TPE grip over-molded onto the top half of the ABS housing enhances dexterity and provides a pleasing tactile experience for users. A matching blade guide is over-molded onto the polycarbonate (PC) base to provide non-slip properties, and provide aesthetic color balance. Using the same Tekbond TPE grade ensures absolute color consistency, identical tactile properties, and the same end-use performance.
The over-molded parts of the knife underwent accelerated and dynamic testing, including peel strength, UV resistance and chemical resistance. The fact that all parts used a common TPE grade streamlined this testing, says Lutz.
Teknor Apex 401/725-8000
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