Zeotherm® Thermoplastic Elastomer 100-60B Delivers 'Rubber-Like' Flexibility
January 2, 2007
Heat resistance of 175°C, hot oil resistance and now ‘rubber-like’ flexibility are now available in a new grade of thermoplastic elastomer - Zeotherm® 100-60B.
Designed to offer the flexibility of conventional thermoset rubber (e.g., AEM), Zeotherm 100-60B allows engineers to take advantage of Zeotherm’s thermoplastic processing advantages while not compromising on the feel and function of automotive parts.
Because Zeotherm 100-60B remains based on a polyamide (nylon) plastic phase, it allows for overmolding and welding (spin or hot plate) to rigid polyamide parts. This combination allows for parts providing both structural rigidity in sections and flexibility in others.
Tests run by Zeon Chemicals indicates the flex modulus of Zeotherm 100-60B to be nearly the same as thermoset rubber. Zeotherm 100-60B has a flex modulus of 8.5 MPa versus a comparable durometer AEM thermoset rubber compound at 7.5 MPa. The durometer of Zeotherm 100-60B is 60 ShA, which makes the grade more comparable to many thermoset rubber parts. Previously, Zeotherm thermoplastic elastomers had been limited to durometer ranges from 70 ShA to 90 ShA.
Zeotherm 100-60B is ideally suited for underhood automotive and industrial components requiring resistance to high temperatures and aggressive fluids. Such applications include dust and dirt shields, isolator cuffs, steering system seals, suspension components and grips for industrial equipment.
Additional long-term testing by Zeon indicates 100-60B can resist continuous exposure to 150°C temperatures in both air and hot engine oil in excess of 1000 hours. For short-term intermittent exposures, 100-60B has been proven to resist temperatures to 175°C. Under similar conditions, conventional thermoplastic elastomers (e.g, TEOs) have heat resistance limited to 125°C or less.
Zeotherm 100-60B is also optimized for thermoplastic injection molding processes. For blow molding processes, Zeon recommends its Zeotherm 130-90B product.
For additional information regarding Zeotherm 100-60B or to request a sample, visit www.zeotherm.com or email Zeotherm@zeonchemicals.com.
About Zeon Chemicals
Zeon Chemicals L.P. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zeon Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, a world leader in specialty elastomers, polymers and specialty chemicals. Zeon Corporation is one of the top producers of polymers in the world with plants in Asia, North America and Europe, and Research and Development laboratories in Kawasaki (Japan), Louisville (KY, USA) and Barry (UK).
Zeon Chemicals, headquartered in Louisville, is the leading producer of specialty elastomers in the USA. It produces Nipol® NBR, HyTemp® and Nipol ACM, Hydrin® ECO, Zetpol® HNBR and Zeotherm® TPVs, which are used in the manufacture of hoses, seals, gaskets, belts and other parts for automotive, industrial, oil field and printing markets. Customers are served from plants in Louisville, (KY, USA) Hattiesburg (MS, USA) and Bayport (TX, USA).
Zeon Corporation, with combined sales of over US $1.8 billion, utilizes its expertise and basic position in C4 and C5 chemistry to offer a wide range of products. The company employs approximately 2,900 people worldwide.
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