US EPA

4712397 

Journal Article 

Adhesion of TPE to EPDM 

Neuer, J 

2018 

1 

KGK Kautschuk, Gummi, Kunststoffe
ISSN: 0948-3276 

71 

3 

14-16 

WOS:000428226600003 

The automotive industry is the largest and fastest-growing market for Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE). New applications exist for the segment of door and window seals, which require dimensionally stable corner joints and end elements. This has been achieved in the past with styrene-butadiene compounds (SBC) and crosslinked thermoplastic vulcanized (TPV) rubber. The cost-effectiveness of TPV is limited, however, due to diverse factors in the manufacturing process, in particular the window trim. The EPDM adhesion series from Kraiburg TPE offers a good alternative with added value. The new series of Thermoplastic Elastomers were specially developed for excellent adhesion and UV resistance in two component applications with ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM). The new compounds of the Thermolast K family are intended primarily for automotive applications such as EPDM window trim and sealing profiles with moulded TPE corner joints and end elements. The core requirements for corner joints and end elements of window trim profiles include excellent adhesion and weathering resistance, which are ensured by the long-term process stability of the TPE/rubber connection. It is also necessary to minimise the in-jection temperature of the TPE solutions in order to reduce the cooling and cycle times of the 2-component elements. The AD/EPDM/UV series fulfils all of these requirements by combining optimal adhesion properties with long-term resistance to UV radiation and thermal effects with a hardness of 70 Shore A. Compared to competitive materials, these special TPE products exhibit superior stability. The EP-DM profile is neither compressed, nor destroyed or deformed. The compounds feature uniform color fastness of EPDM and TPE and there is no tendency of stickiness or phase separation.