In various TPE materials, TPV*** can be compatible with TSR of EPDM. The use of special TPV materials can meet the strict requirements of automotive seals and sealing systems. Given the performance limitations of traditional EPDM TSR systems, the use of TPVs will increase if the automotive industry translates new demands into more efficient and innovative sealing systems.
Introduction
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) are playing an increasingly important role in various industries, especially the automotive industry. TPE materials are bridging the gap between thermoplastics and thermoset rubbers (TSRs) due to their excellent elastic rubber properties (such as good compression and long set resistance over a wide temperature range) and their suitability for conventional thermoplastic processing.
In recent years, the production of effective parts has played an increasingly critical role, which has led to the emergence of thermoplastic processing technology and mechanical equipment. Advances in blow molding, extrusion and injection molding have opened up a vast space for part complexity, sophisticated design and system integration, with a single set of modules providing multiple functions, such as the combination of flexible TPE and rigid thermoplastics. The development of thermoplastic mechanical hardware and advanced tooling, combined with new computer-controlled processing, has allowed commercial TPE applications to maintain double-digit growth over the past 10 years.
In the automotive industry, optimized component function coupled with improved system economics has become a fundamental requirement for every participant in the supply chain, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as well as system suppliers and component processors. TPE material has excellent thermoplastic processing effect, wide processing range and excellent engineering characteristics, making it the first material to promote technological innovation in the supply chain.
Among various TPE materials, thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) is the most important and has the greatest potential for development. In its chemical structure, fully vulcanized ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) particles are carefully distributed in a PP matrix during production, making it the closest mechanical properties to thermoset rubber. TPV has many advantages, mainly including: excellent compressive and compressive stress relaxation in a wide temperature range, excellent anti-aging properties and good chemical resistance.
The most commonly used name for this product is thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), also known as elastomer alloy (EA), dynamic vulcanization alloy (DVA), EPDM-X-PP (PP cross-linked EPDM); usually listed in Japan It is thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) material. SantopreneTM Santoprene TPV ranks first in this material family.
Business Opportunities for TPV in Automotive Sealing Systems
At present, the seals in automobiles are still mainly made of TSR, and each car uses about 8~12kg of different types of seal profiles. Among them, EPDM is the most important elastomer, which can provide various properties required for sealing systems when mixed with TSR materials of different hardness.
In recent years, the automotive industry has put forward additional requirements for future sealing systems, thus providing a great opportunity for engineered TPVs as an alternative to traditional TSR systems. At present, all automakers have recognized the advantages of TPV suitable for replacing TSR in seals, and require suppliers to carry out related design with TPV.
