KRAIBURG TPE, a maker of thermoplastic elastomers based on HSBC (hydrogenated styrene block copolymers) out of Waldkraiburg, Germany, has released a new surface material that promises much greater grip during dry and wet conditions than conventional thermoplastic elastomers.
Not having to use tackifiers, chemical compounds that provide extra grip but make the surface feel sticky and tacky, can be a benefit for all sorts of medical devices where precision control is important.
Wet Grip technology, offered under the THERMOLAST® W trade name, boasts up to three times the
coefficient of friction (COF) of conventional TPE’s for both dry and wet applications with no negative impact on physical and rheological performance.The Wet Grip technology, based on styrenic block copolymers (SBS), is permanent and incorporated throughout the matrix. It does not migrate to the surface and dissipate over time and has no negative impact on processability in multi-component injection molding or extrusion processes.
Wet Grip compounds are available in 25-60 Shore A hardness and meet FDA approvals. Along with the unique Wet Grip performance, THERMOLAST® W compounds also provide standard performance advantages such as smooth surface, optimum sealing, versatile bonding, high transparency, and easy coloring.
Press release: New Wet Grip Compounds Provide Three-Fold Increase In Coefficient of Friction versus Conventional TPEs…