GLS new family of halogen-free, flame retardant thermoplastic elastomer compounds

OnFlex-S HF thermoplastic elastomer compounds, launched at Chinaplas 2008, can help customers meet current and upcoming environmental regulations.

Here at Chinaplas 2008, GLS Corporation, a PolyOne Corporation, a global leader in the manufacture of high-performance, custom-formulated thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) – is introducing a new family of halogen-free, flame-retardant thermoplastic elastomer compounds that can help customers meet current and upcoming environmental regulations. With OnFlex*-S HF TPE-S compounds – featuring a unique, patent-pending formulation – customers can easily upgrade from conventional, halogenated flame-retardant TPEs without retooling or sacrificing performance. At booth # W2J11 in Hall 2, GLS is showcasing the new OnFlex-S HF compounds together with the low smoke, free of halogen (LSFOH) family of compounds for wire & cable applications. This expanded product portfolio demonstrates the company’s focus on new technologies that enable customers to comply with increasingly stringent regulatory requirements.

“Although halogen-free flame retardance is not universally mandated, PolyOne and GLS are taking the lead in creating new materials that help our customers stay ahead of regulatory trends,” said Walter Ripple, senior director, Global Sales & Marketing for GLS. “By replacing conventional TPEs with our new OnFlex-S grades, customers can gain a competitive advantage by demonstrating and marketing their compliance with upcoming requirements in the marketplace.”

Regulations, including the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive, are limiting the use of brominated and chlorinated additives commonly used to provide flame retardance in electrical/electronic applications. “Creating a halogen-free TPE has been a big challenge because alternative flame-retardant additives can impact the pliability and softness properties of TPEs,” said Manfred Taedcke, thermoplastic elastomers market manager, Europe for PolyOne Corp. “However, our market-leading development resources and expertise enabled us to engineer the OnFlex-S HF grades while preserving all the desirable performance properties of this breakthrough TPE series.”

The OnFlex-S HF grades are based on styrene-ethylene butylene-styrene (SEBS) technology. These new TPEs, available in a wide range of hardnesses, provide excellent mechanical properties as well as flexibility in low-temperature environments. All grades meet UL 94 V-0 flammability standards. OnFlex-S thermoplastic elastomer compounds are available pre-colored or can be colored during the final manufacturing process utilizing PolyOne OnColor* color concentrates or other compatible color concentrates.

The OnFlex-S HF grades are designed for injection and blow molding, and in some cases, are also suitable for extrusion. Applications include seals for electrical junction boxes, and cable jacketing and insulation. Other products in this portfolio include OnFlex-O (TPE-O), OnFlex-V (TPE-V) and OnFlex-U (TPE-U) compounds. These materials are available across Europe and Asia-Pacific regions.

The combination of GLS and PolyOne Corp., a leading global provider of specialized polymer materials, services, and solutions, offers worldwide customers a dramatically expanded thermoplastic elastomers portfolio, enhanced thermoplastic elastomer compounds capabilities including innovative, customized product development; full-scale manufacturing; and fast, hands-on technical service and support. In addition to providing standard grades, GLS and PolyOne will customize compounds to address specific performance and process requirements.

* OnFlex and OnColor are trademarks of PolyOne Corporation.

If you're an employer looking to fill a job opening, click here to find out about posting your job listing through Jobwerx.com.

Read a recent article about -
. Carbon nanotubes for new thermoplastics
Long term cooperation is the goal for Bayer MaterialScience as it cooperates with Clariant Masterbatches on carbon nanotubes for new thermoplastics.

Find out how to protect your network from hackers, malware, and other malicious attacks with No.1 Ad-Aware Plus!

Read the Top Headlines.

We will be happy to receive feedback and ideas for new articles! Click Here