Flexalloy® PVC Elastomers have a broad operating temperature range and exhibit excellent outdoor performance. They provide all the processing properties of flexible PVC, while exhibiting the same elasticity of TPEs. We talked with our expert to get more information about the compound and it's properties.
Hi, Chuck. Thanks for taking some time to talk with us about Flexalloy® compounds. Please introduce yourself and give us a little background about what you do for Teknor Apex.
My name is Chuck Hoover and I am the technical service section manager for Teknor’s vinyl division. I’m also the primary technical service engineer for wire and cable applications in North America.
How long have you been with the company?
I’m in my 19th year here at Teknor Apex!
Impressive! We’re talking about Flexalloy compounds today. Can you start us off by explaining what Flexalloy compounds are?
Flexalloy compounds are PVC based elastomers that provide toughness and resilience to the point they meet critical performance criteria to qualify as alternatives to traditional TPEs. In fact, they meet the elevated temperature heat shock and heat deformation tests that UL requires for TPEs!
How was Flexalloy developed? Was it a processing issue for a specific customer, or did you recognize a market need for an alternative compound, or was it something else?
New PVC resins, which became commercially available decades ago, were recognized for their ability to provide a unique balance of properties. They were used in flexible formulations to replace cross-linked rubber while being able to process similar to thermoplastic compounds. When traditional TPEs came into the market, their shortcomings in oil resistance, flame retardancy, and chemical resistance created a market need that Flexalloy compounds were able to fulfill readily.
I see. So the technology has been around for a while, but it wasn’t until TPE materials were introduced commercially that there became an increasing need for a flexible PVC compound with Flexalloy’s specific attributes.
Yes, that’s correct.
What properties do Flexalloy PVC elastomers share with typical flexible PVC and TPEs?
Flexalloy compounds share the inherent flame retardancy, chemical resistance, oil resistance, and ease of processing with regular flexible PVC compounds, while providing the elasticity and compression set resistance of TPEs. They are also available in a low gloss finish to match the look of cross-linked rubber.
What makes Flexalloy compounds so unique?
Flexalloy compounds can be formulated to meet a wide variety of applications. We can combine brittleness temperatures below -60°C with Oil II Rating and FT-4 Flame Performance for industrial tray cable jackets. That’s a pretty tall order for most other TPEs on the market – and Flexalloy is much more cost-effective than other TPEs.
What about the processing environment for Flexalloy? Is there a need to re-tool if a processor is currently extruding other PVC compounds?
Flexalloy compounds are processed on standard PVC equipment. There is no need for retooling. The only adjustment required is to increase the extruder temperatures to compensate for the higher melt point of these PVC compounds.
Do Flexalloy compounds perform better in some instances than typical flexible PVC compounds and TPEs do?
Flexalloy compounds perform significantly better than typical flexible PVC compounds and TPEs in harsh industrial applications that require resiliency and flexibility over a broad operating temperature range, while also providing oil resistance and a high level of flame resistance.
What about the standards established for the wire and cable industry? Is Flexalloy UL Recognized?
We have numerous grades of Flexalloy insulation and jacketing compounds that are UL Recognized for use in wet and outdoor locations which are capable of meeting requirements of UL 13, 62, 1424 and 1277.
What’s on the horizon for these compounds? Are there emerging markets which could benefit from using Flexalloy PVC elastomer compounds?
Yes. Flexalloy compounds are capable of meeting performance requirements for electric vehicle charging cables where their low temperature flexibility and oil resistance are an excellent match.
If someone reading this is interested in talking with Teknor Apex about Flexalloy compounds, who should they contact?
Our Industry Manager for wire and cable applications, David Braun, can be reached at dbraun@teknorapex.com.
Customers in Asia should contact See Chong Ng, segment manager for wire and cable at scng@teknorapex.com
Chuck, thank you for this informative overview of Flexalloy PVC elastomer compounds!
Flexalloys are versatile, cost-effective compounds for use in harsh environments over a broad operating temperature range and multitude of requirements. For more information about Flexalloy compounds, please download ‘Flexalloy® PVC Elastomers: An Overview’.
