Teknor Apex announced the availability of the Monprene RG-15100 series, TPS compounds with the surface appearance and haptics of silicone rubber. The materials are said to exhibit lower compression set than standard TPS compounds, withstand temperatures in excess of 100 °C, and provide chemical resistance for food-grade, cosmetics, and other regulated applications. The materials meet U.S. and EU regulations for single- and repeated-use applications with dry, acidic, aqueous, and alcoholic food types. Hardnesses range from 30 to 80 Shore A.
All grades are translucent and are suitable for injection moulding and extrusion applications such as utensil grips; kitchen appliance seals, gaskets, and tubing; food-saver container seals; dropper bulbs; and cosmetics applications. They can be used with containers that must be microwave and dishwasher safe and may be two-component moulded with polyolefins. Ingredients used to manufacture these TPEs are compliant with US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements for food contact. In addition the compounds comply with European directives for food contact uses, including EU 1935/2004 and PIM 10/2011.
“Pre-compliance with regulations accelerates our customers’ speed to market with new products,” said Chris Smith, senior market manager for the Thermoplastic Elastomer Division of Teknor Apex. “Besides supplying a broad range of standard grades in the Monprene RG-15100 Series, we are prepared to develop custom formulations that meet the same regulatory requirements.”