Technological watch
A material series for exterior automotive applications from Kraiburg TPE
KRAIBURG TPE has made intensive efforts to understand the future requirements of European OEMs and is now presenting a new RC/UV series. It is targeted to meet the high requirements for OEMs’ automotive exteriors such as weathering resistance and a high surface quality, using a proportion of postindustrial recycled materials ranging from a minimum of 20% to a maximum of 40%. These product solutions will enable suppliers to replace current components with recycled materials-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and thus to make a contribution to the circular plastics economy.
The main target of development has been achieved: the highest possible proportion of recycled materials in the individual hardness ranges. Adhesion to polypropylene enables the implementation of single-component and multicomponent parts. The low density of the new compound series allows weight reductions of up to 25% as compared to conventional TPEs. As an overall package, the properties of the new series are effective relative to the environmental aspect that the suppliers are focusing on. The RC/UV series is particularly suited for exterior, underside and under-the-hood areas of automobiles. Target applications for the new solutions include water tank covers, air duct parts, wheel arch liners, drip rails and window encapsulations. Further technical details:
• Hardness range from 50 to 90 Shore A
• Proportion of postindustrial recycled materials from 20% to 40%
• Ozone and weathering stability in accordance with OEM requirements
• Thermal stability of up to 90 °C
“To take the first steps towards a more sustainable automobile, the plastics industry needs to not only think about moving towards the circular economy but also has to take action. Solutions are needed that meet the high quality standards of OEMs and overcome challenges such as supply security and reliability,” says Matthias Michl, Head of Automotive Application Development at KRAIBURG TPE. “KRAIBURG TPE meets this standard with our new RC/UV series. We want to proceed toward sustainable applications together with our customers.”
The compounds are now available in black.
The main target of development has been achieved: the highest possible proportion of recycled materials in the individual hardness ranges. Adhesion to polypropylene enables the implementation of single-component and multicomponent parts. The low density of the new compound series allows weight reductions of up to 25% as compared to conventional TPEs. As an overall package, the properties of the new series are effective relative to the environmental aspect that the suppliers are focusing on. The RC/UV series is particularly suited for exterior, underside and under-the-hood areas of automobiles. Target applications for the new solutions include water tank covers, air duct parts, wheel arch liners, drip rails and window encapsulations. Further technical details:
• Hardness range from 50 to 90 Shore A
• Proportion of postindustrial recycled materials from 20% to 40%
• Ozone and weathering stability in accordance with OEM requirements
• Thermal stability of up to 90 °C
“To take the first steps towards a more sustainable automobile, the plastics industry needs to not only think about moving towards the circular economy but also has to take action. Solutions are needed that meet the high quality standards of OEMs and overcome challenges such as supply security and reliability,” says Matthias Michl, Head of Automotive Application Development at KRAIBURG TPE. “KRAIBURG TPE meets this standard with our new RC/UV series. We want to proceed toward sustainable applications together with our customers.”
The compounds are now available in black.
This project has been co-funded with the support of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Union [LIFE17 ENV/ES/000438] Life programme
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