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.

Mold a Safer Pet Toy

Something 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.

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Polymeric Capstocks - A Primer

Polymeric 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.

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TPE Volumn Costing

Maximize 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.

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Recyclable Alternative to Rubber

The 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.

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Ask 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.

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TPE Overmolding Adhesion

TPE 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.

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 Overmolding Food Container Seal

Innovation 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.

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It'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.

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Shore Hardness Chart - Comparison of Scales

Shore 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.  

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Preparing 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.

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Potable 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.

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Low 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.

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Comparison of TPE Families

TPE 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).

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capstock decking fencing

Capstocks 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. 

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Everything 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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