DSM ARNITEL® TPE FOR HARD-SOFT COMBINATIONS WITH EXCELLENT ADHESION

Designed to adhere to such hard materials as polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/Polycarbonate (ABS/PC), and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), DSM Engineering Plastics’ Arnitel® TPE copolyester elastomer gives manufacturers the freedom to benefit from 2K moulding (multi-component injection moulding processes). Arnitel® TPE has been designed to perform well in automotive airbagcover, instrument panel, and other demanding applications.

2K moulding provides a flash-free, co-moulded part that eliminates the time and expense involved in additional product handling, tooling, assembly and inventory costs while ensuring high-quality components. A key factor in 2K moulding is the adhesion between the different materials used, and Arnitel® TPE is designed to maximise this adhesiveness by fostering interfacial reactions, surface polarity, local interactions, and chain diffusion.

In addition, the processing temperatures and parameters are compatible with common co-moulded materials, enhancing productivity and adhesiveness of Arnitel® TPE.

Arnitel® TPE excels in airbagcover applications owing to its ductility at -40ºC and strength at 90ºC. Low-temperature ductility is required to help prevent injury due to splintering during airbag deployment, while high-temperature strength is required to keep the airbag module in place.

In addition to airbag applications, Arnitel® TPE is well-suited for automotive interior components that depend on high aesthetic quality because the material takes an excellent moulded surface finish, as well as offering long-term paint adhesion.

To help customers optimise applications with Arnitel® TPE, DSM Engineering Plastics offers global product development, application development, design consulting, as well as access to computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools.

Beyond airbags, Arnitel® TPE is extensively used in the automotive industry for applications designed for human touch, such as armrest and steering wheel covers; and those requiring exceptional fatigue resistance and resistance to oil and greases, including rack and pinion bellows, constant velocity joint (CVJ) boots, air-ducts and air brake tubing. In the electronic and consumer goods industry, Arnitel® TPE is widely used for mobile phone antennas, cable insulation, flexible tubing, film, dispensers, cable ties, pads, handles, and soft-grip applications. The range of Arnitel® TPE is exemplified by its use both in tiny, low-noise gears, and in large, energy- and sound-absorbing railway pads.