GELEEN, NETHERLANDS, December 11, 2018: A new series of styrenic thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) with the surface appearance and haptics of silicone rubber exhibits lower compression set than standard TPS compounds, withstands temperatures in excess of 100 °C, and provides chemical resistance for food-grade, cosmetics, and other regulated applications.
Monprene® RG-15100 Series TPEs from Teknor Apex Company meet U.S. and EU regulations for single- and repeated-use applications with dry, acidic, aqueous, and alcoholic food types. Shore A hardnesses range from 30 to 80, and all grades are translucent (see table). The compounds are suitable for injection molding and extrusion applications such as utensil grips; kitchen appliance seals, gaskets, and tubing; food-saver container seals; dropper bulbs; and cosmetics applications. These TPEs can be used with containers that must be microwave- and dishwasher-safe. They may be two-component molded with polyolefins.
Ingredients used to manufacture Monprene RG-15100 Series TPEs are compliant with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements for food contact. In addition these compounds comply with European directives for food contact uses, including EU 1935/2004 and PIM 10/2011.
“Pre-compliance with regulations accelerates our customers’ speed to market with new products,” said Christopher G. Smith, senior market manager for the Thermoplastic Elastomer Division of Teknor Apex. “Besides supplying a broad range of standard grades in the Monprene RG-15100 Series, we are prepared to develop custom formulations that meet the same regulatory requirements.”
Typical Properties of New Food-Grade TPEs
Monprene® RG-15100 Series Compounds
| PROPERTIES AND UNITS | ISO TEST METHOD | RG-15130 | RG-15140 | RG-15150 | RG-15160 | RG-15170 | RG-15180 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness, Shore A | 868 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 |
| Density, g/cc | 1183 | 0.89 | 0.89 | 0.89 | 0.89 | 0.89 | 0.90 |
| Tensile strength (flow/cross-flow), MPa | 527 1 / 2 | 4.5 / 6.8 | 5.4 / 8.4 | 6.3 / 10 | 6.9 / 11 | 8.5 / 18 | 10 / 19 |
| Strain at break (flow / cross-flow), % | 527 1 / 2 | 750 / 850 | 650 / 790 | 640 / 830 | 650 / 800 | 590 / 930 | 570 / 860 |
| Tensile modulus 100% strain (flow / cross-flow), MPa | 527 1 / 2 | 1.1 / 0.6 | 1.7 / 0.8 | 1.8 / 1.2 | 2.2 / 1.4 | 3.1 / 2.2 | 5.0 / 3.1 |
| Tear strength (flow / cross-flow), kN/m | 34-1B | 12 / 9.0 | 13 / 12 | 14 / 16 | 17 / 19 | 23 / 23 | 28 / 33 |
| Compression set, % | |||||||
| 70 h / 23 °C | 815-1 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 27 | 40 | 38 |
| 24 h / 70 °C | 815-1 | 30 | 29 | 33 | 43 | 42 | 47 |
| 24 h / 100 °C | 815-1 | 42 | 38 | 41 | 47 | 52 | 57 |
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