Zeon Commercializes High-Performance TPV - Zeotherm

05-Feb-2003

Zeon Chemicals L.P. (Zeon) announced the commercialization of Zeotherm(TM) TPVs, a new family of high-performance, heat and oil resistant thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) capable of withstanding temperatures up to 150° C. This special class of thermoplastic elastomers offers the feel and performance of thermoset rubber with the processing ease, convenience, cycle time, and recyclability of a thermoplastic.

Due to its capability of withstanding the synthetic oils, lubricating fluids, and high temperatures present in today's under-the-hood operations in automobile and industrial environments, Zeotherm polymers have potential use in a variety of applications. These include automotive shaft and bearing seals, transmission sealing components, inboard CVJ boots, air ducts, multi-layer hose cover constructions, industrial goods, and more. Zeon is currently working with North American and Asian customers to automotive seals based on Zeotherm TPVs in the near future.

According to Zeon Marketing Manager Brian Cail, "Zeotherm is the first TPV capable of withstanding the 150°C under-the-hood environment common in today's automobiles without suffering from severe degradation in automotive fluids common with other TPVs. With that increase in ability also comes the ability of Zeotherm polymers to functionally perform in cold temperatures of -40°C. Zeotherm significantly raises the performance bar for modern TPVs."

Based on the SAE J200 classification system, Zeotherm is a "DH" polymer, denoting its excellent heat and oil resistance. Zeotherm polymers thrive in long-term, high-heat and oil-resistant surroundings where current generation silicones, polypropylene based TPVs, and copolyesters fail. Its performance is comparable to well-established thermoset polyacrylate elastomers (ACMs). Long-term testing has revealed Zeotherm TPVs can survive 150°C continuous exposure to automotive oils, transmission fluids, and greases in excess of 2000 hrs with minimal loss of mechanical properties, change in hardness, or volume swell. Under identical conditions, polypropylene based TPVs and copolyesters suffer near complete loss of mechanical properties and excessive volume swell after only 336hrs at 150°C. Versus silicones, Zeotherm TPVs exhibits superior oil resistance and dramatically lower volume swells.

Initial grades to be commercialized are Zeotherm 100-70B and 110-70B, both based on Zeon's HyTemp® polyacrylate elastomers (ACMs) dispersed in polyamide matrix. Zeotherm 100-70B and 110-70B have durometers comparable to thermoset rubber compounds used in seal, hose, and air duct applications --70-80 Shore A -- and differ in their compressive properties. Although initial grades will be black in color, Zeon has the capability to produce Zeotherm polymers in a range of colors.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/19705/zeon-commercializes-high-performance-tpv-zeotherm.html