ExxonMobil Chemical Co.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Santoprene 121 XXM200 TPV is a high-flow series for automotive parts requiring improved appearance and easier processing, such as glass-encapsulated weatherseals for quarter lights and side fixed-glass applications.

Olefinic TPEs originally comprised only two classes of rubber-modified polypropylene, known as TPO and TPV. More recently, these have been supplemented by new types of olefinic elastomers that can be used on their own or as the rubber component in TPO/TPV compounds. Additionally, a small handful of specialty TPEs using olefinic matrices occupy niche applications.

WEB EXCLUSIVE A new family of polypropylene-based TPVs is claimed to be the first to bond to nylon in cold-insert overmolding.

Custom backlighting with color-converting plastics and robotic extrusion of door seals won two categories of the 37th Innovation Awards presented in November by the SPE Automotive Div.

A new family of fast-cycling PP-based TPVs from ExxonMobil Chemical Co., Houston, is recommended to replace thermoset rubber and other TPEs in thick-walled (over 2 mm) parts.

A new softer version of Santoprene olefi nic TPV from ExxonMobil Chemical, Houston, reportedly bonds to engineering thermoplastics.

A new TPV from ExxonMobil Chemical Co., Akron, Ohio, is FDA compliant for food contact and bonds to a range of thermoplastics.

The Interior Systems Div. of Faurecia in Nanterre, France (U.S. office in Farmington Hills, Mich.), has commercialized what is believed to be the first commercial multi-axis robotic extrusion process for a plastic part in the U.S.

Long-glass reinforcements and structural blow molding accounted for four of this year’s nine SPE Automotive Innovation Awards, presented last month in Detroit.

Two new Santoprene thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) from ExxonMobil Chemical are claimed to provide a more harmonized appearance in automotive weatherseal applications by more closely resembling other elastomer materials with which they are used.

ExxonMobil Chemical’s Santoprene specialty products unit (formerly Advanced Elastomer Systems) in Akron, Ohio, has installed a vertical injection machine in its lab.

Top awards in the parts competition at the Society of the Plastics Industry's Structural Plastics Div. annual conference are reserved for new or unique materials or processing approaches.

 Higher flow, higher heat, higher barrier, higher clarity, higher stiffness, lower durometer, lower smoke, lower odor—materials exhibits at the recent K 2004 show in Dusseldorf were stretching the bounds of processing and performance properties in all directions.

Quite a few new polyolefins are being featured at this year’s show, with a particular emphasis on specialty PP and PE materials.

New materials at K 2001 are weighted heavily toward the engineering variety, especially nylons, acetals, and TP polyesters. A large handful of polypropylenes round out the major news.