Zeotherm Thermoplastic Elastomer 100-60B Delivers 'Rubber-Like' Flexibility
Louisville, KY — 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.
SOURCE: Zeon Chemicals L.P.