If you are interested in using TPV Santoprene during your manufacturing project, you must be cautious when choosing the ideal material grade. In general, thermoplastic vulcanizates are favourable for fabrication because these have the benefits of both plastic and rubber. TPVs can be manufactured with incredible ease because of the thermoplastic aspect. In addition, the materials have great performance characteristics like durability, reduced weight and low systems cost due to the rubber component. However, different grades of TPV offer different performance characteristics. Here are some precautions to keep in mind for selection of an ideal material grade.

Consider Processing Method

When choosing your thermoplastic vulcanizate material, keep your processing method in mind. Different grades are more compatible with certain manufacturing procedures. Therefore, if you choose a grade which is perfectly suited for your chosen method, the final results will be better. For instance, there are TPV grades designed for extrusion purposes. This means that the formulation meets specific criteria for extrusion performance. You can also opt for the general purpose grade which is designed for standard performance for diverse methods, including moulding, extrusion and blow moulding.

Think about UV Degradation

Degradation due to ultraviolet radiation is a common concern for most material with rubber and plastic constituents. If a product is not designed for stability under harsh UV light, it will fail faster than expected. Therefore, most people look for products with built-in UV resistance to promote durability, especially when dealing with items designed for outdoor use. Therefore, when manufacturing TPV products, you should check whether the specific material grades have UV resistance for optimal performance.

Evaluate Bonding Capability

If you would like to combine the TPV with another material, it is advisable to look for a grade which has been formulated for this purpose. You should keep in mind that different materials cannot be bound together during manufacturing without adequate compatibility. Otherwise, the resulting product will be brittle, short-lived or unsuitable for its purpose. Therefore, if this aspect is important, inquire about the bonding grades of TPV. Some grades can be combined with plastics. You can also look for alternative grades which are compatible with metals. Note that this property is not always essential for TPV manufacturing. If you do not need bonding, you can choose a cheaper non-bonding material.

Other crucial properties that you should consider when selecting your TPV for custom fabrication include food contact rating, chemical stability, colourability and stability against metal-catalysed degradation.