With Elastollan 1598 A 10 FC, BASF has presented a new thermoplastic polyurethane with food contact (FC) approval that is said to combine the highly effective hydrolysis and microbial resistance of ether-based TPUs with the very good mechanical properties of ester-based TPUs. The product is an aromatic thermoplastic polyether polyurethane that the company has developed specifically to meet requirements for pneumatic hose applications.
“With Elastollan 1598 A 10 FC, our customers can benefit from the advantages of two TPU worlds in one product,” said Mark Ottens, Segment Manager of Extrusion TPU at BASF. “This expands the area of application within the target application of pneumatic hoses and the development of new fields of application. Due to the better burst pressure behaviour in relation to temperature, the Elastollan 1598 A 10 FC can be used to achieve a higher operating temperature of pneumatic hoses compared to conventional ether TPUs.”
The main advantages of the material are its good product performance, especially at higher operating temperatures, characterised by reduced creep behaviour, increased bursting pressure and the bursting behaviour itself, said BASF. This means a longer product life as well as an expansion of the field of application, for example, a higher requirement classification. In addition, Elastollan 1598 A 10 FC characteristics include good crystallisation behaviour and robust dimensional stability, which results in good processability in extrusion. “Customers benefit from efficient processing, e.g., faster line speed or less scrap at startup,” said Ottens.
According to BASF, the performance of the material widens the range of new industrial applications. For example, the reduced creep behaviour combined with very good wear behaviour makes this product ideal for the conveyor and belt sector. Here, a lower creep tendency leads to less slippage and, therefore, improves the conveyor belt’s operating life. In addition, the product is available in all colours and is classified for fire safety, according to UL94 HB.
“With Elastollan 1598 A 10 FC, we are demonstrating that even small improvements can effectively open up completely new fields of application and offer added value for our customers,” said Marc Wilken, Key Account Manager, Sales, DACH. “In the development phase, we are working with our customers and partners to examine further fields of application in which the special ether-ester properties of Elastollan 1598 A 10 FC can offer added value.”