A whole range of thermoplastic elastomers

The Multi-Flex® family of thermoplastic elastomers consists of 3 major chemical compositions:

Multi-Flex TPE

These products are based on SEBS / SEEPS / PP exhibiting excellent high and low temperature resistance and easy processing with conventional plastic machinery. TPE-MR are products developed for improved MAR-resistance used for mold in color airbags and PVC replacement.

Multi-Flex TPO

Chemistry is based on EP / EPDM / PP utilizing new reactive grade polyolefins exhibiting high value/cost performance.

Multi-Flex TEA

Chemistry is based on SEBS / SEEPS / Engineering plastics and exhibit excellent adhesion to engineering plastics like PC, ABS, PA, SAN

Multi-Flex® is a registered trademark of Multibase

Flexibility
The flexibility of Multi-Flex grades is similar to vulcanized rubbers, exhibiting a Shore Hardness value as low as 30 A and as high as 60 D.

Aesthetics : touch and transparency
Multi-Flex grades are particularly well adapted to the manufacture of parts that are soft to the touch, form skin-like films and have a varity of feels from high grip to smooth “silky”.

Performance under compression
LC Multi-Flex grades show a resistance to deformation at high temperature, similar to that of rubber.

Compatibility
Multi-Flex grades are compatible with both polyolefins and technical polymers, and offer perfect adhesion during over-molding, co-injection or co-extrusion.

High Performance and Quality
Multi-Flex grades are used to make Airbag Covers, part of one of the rigorously tested Automotive applications, Safety Restraint Systems.

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Introduction

Multi-Flex TPE® compounds are based on styrene block co-polymers, utilizing the polystyrene domains and the ethylene-butylene elastomeric component to introduce "physical cross-linking."

This arrangement provides similar characteristics as in vulcanized rubber. The inherent structure of the Kraton molecule yields a Thermoplastic Elastomer and can be repeatedly remolded as conventional Thermoplastics.

Main Features of Multi-Flex TPE®

Multi-Flex TPE® compounds are heat stable and ozone resistant due to the absence of conjugated double bonds, yielding a high service temperature and excellent process stability.

The elastomeric Block arrangement provides very good low temperature performance with a Tg of -50 F, featuring low Modulus and Hardness increases at low temperatures.

TPE-MR are increasingly used to replace flexible PVC, especially in the automobile industry.

Chemical resistance is excellent for most applications in corrosive media, such as Javel water and Sulfuric acid.

A Line of Standard General Purpose Grades are available

For additional commercially available Multi-Flex TPE, Click here for material data sheets.

Also now available, a new line of materials based on SBS (styrene/butadiene/styrene) block co-polymers. These materials are a cost effective alternative for applications not requiring high engineering properties or environmental stability. Table of properties

Multi-Flex TPE® is a registered trademark of Multibase, Inc., OH

Introduction

Multi-Flex TPO's are a family of thermoplastic elastomers which exhibit rubber-like properties and are processable on conventional thermoplastic equipment.

The chemistry is based on the recent introduction of reactor grade olefins enabling to tailor desired specific properties not achievable with the conventional TPO's from the eighties.

Characteristics

Key characteristics of this new family are :

• Low temperature toughness
• Chemical resistance
• Ozone and UV resistant
• Wide service temperature range from -55 degrees C to 120 degrees C
• Low density
• No plasticizer migration
• High tear resistance
• Good paintability

Applications

Multi-Flex TPO's have made many inroads into the automobile industry. They are used for airbag covers, air dams, license plate holders and interior, as well as exterior trim applications.

Click here for Multi-Flex TPO material data sheets.

Introduction

Multi-Flex TEA’s are thermoplastic elastomer alloys competing with polyester and TPU elastomers. They present ease of transformation with improved weathering at an excellent performance cost ratio. The low and high temperature resistance characteristics makes them ideal for automotive and appliance applications.

Applications

• Some of the TEA grades show excellent adhesion to ABS, PC, PA and Acrylics and are used as seals for backlights for major car manufacturers, either as insert molding of co-injection.
• Vacuum cleaner seals showed the necessary cohesive adhesion to ABS, where, previously, adhesives were needed.
• Multi-Flex TEA's are suitable for soft grip touch applications such as tools and toothbrushes overmolded over PA, SAN, and PC.

Processing

Multi-Flex TEA flows readily and has a much wider processing window and shorter cycle times than TPU. The products allow flexibility in part and tool design. Molds can be designed with fewer gates and weld lines, thus eliminating potential points of weakness.

Click here for Multi-Flex TEA material data sheets.

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