A blog’s success is almost always determined by the contributing writers. That’s why we call on our own employees to craft the posts for the Teknor Apex Blog. Their expertise with compounds across a vast range of industries and applications certainly makes them subject matter experts, and their unique experiences grant them the ability to discuss a variety of compounding topics, too. From product trends to industry insights, the Teknor Apex Blog strives to keep our customers as informed as possible.
Apex® 1523 Ultra Low Gloss PVC Compound for Automotive Window Encapsulation
It’s important to select a low gloss material that offers excellent glass bonding to prevent the passage of air, water and noise. It should also offer scratch and mar resistance, easy colorability and adjustable gloss levels so you can precisely match the appearance to OEM surface finish requirements.
Read MoreDriving Material Innovation in the Automotive Industry with our Application Development Centers of Excellence
At which stage of automotive product design should you engage your material supplier? The answer is as early as possible. At Teknor Apex, we can support this early involvement thanks to our Application Development Centers of Excellence.
Read MoreSomething to Chew On: Mold a Safer Pet Toy with High-Quality Monprene® TPEs
Approximately 95% of the 164 million American pet owners consider their four-legged friends a member of their family. In fact, this love prompts pet owners to collectively put $103 billion annually towards pet care into the American economy. However, unlike children’s toys, there are no standards or legislation for the safety of pet products or mandatory testing of pet products.
Read MoreWhite Railings, Fence and Windows Stand the Test of Time
Color trends have varied over the years, but white seems to never go out of style. Whether its shades of white, or finishes, white railing, fence and windows remain the predominant color for these outdoor applications.
Read MorePolymeric Capstocks – A Primer
Polymer capstocks are compounds that are extruded to form the protective layer or “cap” over a variety of plastic base materials. The capstock layer is co-extruded over the base material in a single process which provides the option to adjust the thickness to meet the functional needs and performance criteria in applications like decking, fencing, railings, window and door profiles and other outdoor applications where durability is required.
Read MoreMaximize Your Raw Material Spend by Understanding Volume Costing
Finished plastic parts are rarely sold by weight. Injection molded products are priced per piece and extruded products by unit length. Thus, costing and pricing are for fixed volumes. Plastic raw materials are sold by unit weight, and when evaluating the cost of different material options, manufacturers typically compare the price per pound (or kilogram). However, this comparison fails to factor in any differences in density. Before comparing raw material pricing or embarking on cost reduction initiatives, it is vital to understand volume cost and its implications.
Read MoreSarlink® TPV vs EPDM – Your Quick Reference Guide for Automotive Sealing
Need guidance switching from EPDM to TPV? For decades we’ve been helping automotive sealing manufacturers convert EPDM profiles to TPV, and we’ve condensed this knowledge into a quick reference guide to help you make more informed decisions.
Read MoreTPV vs EPDM: Why the Difference Matters to Major Appliance Brands
Sustainable appliance brands who consider end-of-life management of their products and are designing for recyclability are replacing EPDM rubber with TPVs for seals, gaskets, hoses and more. Our latest article will tell you why.
Read MoreTPV vs TPS - When the Difference Matters for Auto OEMs
TPV and TPS materials can be used throughout a vehicle. Understanding end use environments is critical for automotive OEMs when specifying which to use. Our latest article lays out the details.
Read MoreWhich TPV is Right for Me: How to Match Your Automotive Requirements to the Right Technology
Matching the right thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) to your automotive specification is a critical step for today’s automotive engineers. Use our guide to help navigate the process.
Read MoreThe Recyclability of Thermoplastic Elastomers: Moving Away from Thermoset Rubber towards a More Circular Economy
Environmental sustainability and the drive towards a more circular economy have challenged manufacturers to rethink product designs and question traditional material choices. One such traditional material choice is thermoset rubber, commonly used in applications requiring elastic, damping or sealing properties. Thermoplastic Elastomers, or TPEs, are the primary alternative to thermoset rubber, and exhibit many of the same characteristics.
Read MoreAsk an Expert: Flexalloy® PVC Elastomer Compounds
Flexalloy® PVC elastomers are flexible compounds that have a broad operating temperature range and enhanced performance in harsh environments.
In this interview, we get some insights into these unique compounds from our in-house technical expert, Chuck Hoover, who has been very involved in the development of Flexalloy compounds at Teknor Apex.
Read MoreTPE Overmolding: Adhesion Explained
What happens when a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is overmolded onto a rigid thermoplastic? What makes the TPE "bond" to the substrate? This informative blog describes what's really happening at a molecular level, and how to measure and optimize adhesion between a TPE and an engineering thermoplastic.
Read MoreInnovation in TPE Overmolding: 3 Case Studies
Learn about new innovations in TPE overmolding, from heat resistant seals to drug resistant membranes, the overmolding process delivers functionality beyond a soft-touch grip. These 3 case studies will inspire your next product design.
Read MoreWithstanding The Elements: Our Weathering Program for Fence, Deck, Rail and Fenestration Compounds
Exterior building and construction applications, such as decking, railing, fencing, and fenestration require long-term weatherability. We work closely with our customers to select and develop the most suitable capstock compounds and weatherable mono-extrusion compounds for these challenging applications.
Read MoreThe Essential Guide to Overmolding Process and Materials
Looking to better understand the overmolding process or two shot molding? From material selection to process optimization, we've got you covered. Download the latest Overmolding Guide now!
Read MoreWhy Proposition 65 May Affect Your Business (Even if your facility isn't located in California)
The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, more commonly referred to as Proposition 65, was voted into law more than 30 years ago and it is still as controversial today as it was then. Not only is it a difficult regulation to understand, it can also have implications for manufacturers without facilities located in the State of California.
Read MoreNew Regulations for Medical Devices in the EU
In 2017 there were new regulations implemented on medical devices being sold in European Union countries. This is an overview of some of the changes effecting OEMs that sell medical devices in the EU.
Read MoreThe New EU CPR Requirements for Building Cable - An Overview
European Union countries have established new regulations and a ranking system for permanent cables that are used in buildings and structures. Continue to read an overview of the testing requirements and classification rankings.
Read MoreIt's Not Just Pellets In A Box
There is so much more to the pellet making process than meets the eye. Our building and construction industry manager, John Macaluso, gives a little insight into factors that are often overlooked when considering which custom compounding partner brings added value to each box of pellets you receive.
Read MoreShore Hardness and Soft TPEs
What is Shore Hardness and how is it measured? Shore Hardness is measured using a durometer gauge, which uses a spring loaded steel rod to compress the surface of the sample and provide a reading. Download this Shore Hardness Chart for a quick reference guide and comparison of scales.
Read MorePreparing PVC Pellets for Processing Environments
In previous blogs, we have explained how PVC resins are created and how they are combined with stabilizers, plasticizers and other ingredients to create PVC compounds. Once a compound is formulated, and the product is properly dry blended, and melt mixed, the next step is to create pellets to deliver the material to processors for use in their production process.
Read MoreHow PVC Resin is Transformed to Vinyl Compound
A compound is defined as a substance formed when two or more elements are chemically bonded together. But how does PVC resin transform to vinyl compound?
Read More5 Reasons I'm Excited About Our New Online Materials Lab
After many months of preparation, we formally launched the Teknor Apex Materials Lab. This web page was created to be an online TPE materials resource for industrial designers and product engineers. Here are six things I'm proud of.
Read MorePotable Water Certified: When to Use CPVC Compounds
PVC compounds are used in a wide variety of applications in the building and construction industries, including pipe and fittings for waste water and drainage systems. These materials may also be used to make pipe that will transport potable water, but standard PVC pipe is not suitable for use in hot water applications.
Read MoreLow VOC Vinyl Compounds for Indoor Applications
Builders and designers are becoming more educated regarding the types of materials they’re choosing for interior spaces and the impact the materials they are made of may have on things like air quality and the health of building occupants. One of the things to consider is the level of interior VOC emissions.
Read MoreTPE Alphabet Soup: TPO, TPV, SBC, TPU, COPE, COPA
Perhaps you know TPEs. But did you know that there are actually six distinct TPE chemical families? The right chemistry depends on the application, and the design goals. What’s more, with the right knowledge, teams can design to the advantages of a Styrenic Block Copolymer Compound (SBC or TPE-S) or a Polyolefinic Rubber Blend (TPO or TPE-O) or a Thermoplastic Vulcanizate (TPV or TPV-V).
Read MoreHow Is PVC Made, Anyway?
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is used in thousands of different applications. If you ask someone how PVC is made, you will probably be met with a blank stare.
Read MoreCapstocks for Cellular and Rigid Vinyl Decking, Fencing and Beyond
When introduced to the market around 1990, original composite decking materials did not live up to their zero maintenance expectations. Composite decking enjoyed a spike in popularity for a few years, but many consumers began noticing problems with discoloration, mold and decay when the material was put to the test in real-world situations. This was a major set-back for the composite decking industry.
Read MoreEverything I Know about TPEs I Learned from the Toothbrush
Human factors are a big reason why designers love TPEs. Human factors is defined as the study of how people interact physically and psychologically with their environment, products and services. When it comes to human factors or ergonomics, TPEs have had a tremendous impact on everything from power tools to surgical instruments, adding new functionality to hand-held products in addition to their hallmark soft-touch grip.
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