Highly Colorable TPEs for Power Cords Retain Properties over Wide Temperature Range

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New thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) compounds for extruded power-cord insulation and jacketing and injection molded plugs prov ide more flexibility at temperature extremes than conventional polyvinyl chloride (PVC), elastomers, higher levels of chemical resistance, and greater colorability, it was announced today by Teknor Apex at Wire and Cable Focus 98.

Designated the Elexar (Registered Trademark) Super Flex (Trademark) Series, the new TPE products can be pigmented in brighter and more vivid colors than are achievable with PVC elastomers, according to the company. In addition, Elexar SF compounds requir e less color concentrate to achieve most standard hues used for power and extension cords.

"Manufacturers of products ranging from appliances to lawn and garden tools can now improve the end-use performance of flexible cords while simultaneously boosting product appeal," said Donald G. Ouellette, Industry Manager, Wire & Cable Compounds. In ad dition to greater flexibility over a wide temperature range, he said, Elexar SF compounds provide better resistance to fuels, oils, and other aggressive substances than PVC elastomers.

"Besides cutting concentrate costs, the colorability of Elexar SF products enables developers of new appliances to place more emphasis on power and extension cords as design elements," said Ouellette. He cited cords pigmented to match brightly colored ap pliance housings or to stand out through the use of today’s "hot" colors.

Elexar Super Flex products, available in commercial quantities, include:

· Elexar SF 8431 and 8451 insulation compounds. These provide Shore A
Hardnesses of 70 and 85, tensile strength values of 2500 and 2250 p.s.i., and ultimate
elongation values of 680 and 650%, respectively. Each exhibits a brittle point of -60°C and limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 18.0.

· Elexar SF 8732 compound for extruded jacketing and insert-molded electrical plugs. This dual-purpose grade¾which also exhibits a brittle point of -60°C¾has an LOI value of 23.5 and meets Underwriters Laboratories (UL) flammability standards for flexibl e power cords.

To assess the performance of Elexar SF compounds compared to PVC elastomers used widely in power cords, Teknor Apex commissioned an independent laboratory to quantify the retained flexural modulus of molded test plaques over a range from -60°C to 100°C.< br>
"The test results indicate that Elexar SF products will provide far greater flexibility in end-use, especially after exposure to elevated or subzero temperatures," said Ouellette. "This is an especially important advantage for flexible power cords used o n outdoor electrical equipment such as lawn mowers, power tools, and snow throwers."