Kraiburg TPE targets e-mobility market 

Waldkraiburg, Germany – Kraiburg TPE is reporting increasing demand for its thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) from OEMs and system suppliers seeking to adapt to current e-mobility trends.

These materials, it said, are being more frequently selected for automotive exterior and interior applications, as well as in applications for automotive engine compartments and power trains. 

Key to this increased uptake is the adaptable property profile of TPEs, said Kraiburg TPE –  noting new utilisation concepts in the vehicle interior, for example due to car-sharing, as well as the need for more effective noise reduction. 

In such applications, TPEs offer good adhesion to engineering plastics, such as polyamides, for two-component injection moulding, while providing enhanced thermal conductivity and flame retardancy. 

“We are striving to coordinate the specifications for each application with OEMs and tier 1 customers as early as possible,”  said Michael Pollmann, director sales & marketing EMEA at Kraiburg TPE.

In the process, he said, Kraiburg TPE is using its experience from other application areas such as electrical engineering and electronics to accelerate the development, release and launch of applications.

Electric drives, as well as autonomous and connected vehicles, continue a 22 Jan Kraiburg TPE statement, increase the need for integrated electronic and sensor systems in vehicles. 

And this requires materials that provide reliable heat dissipation, secure tightness and shock absorption.

“Special TPEs with a very low compression-set, therefore, provide the perfect properties for durable housing seals made of a cost-efficient two-component composite with other materials, including polar thermoplastics,” said the release. 

Integrated two-component applications with TPE can also have a significant additional noise-reducing effect.  This is particularly important as creaking and squeaking noises are a much greater nuisance due to the quieter drive of electric vehicles.

The German compounder said it is also active in material development in areas such as texture, adhesion, colour, wear and scratch resistance, flame retardancy, low VOC and odour emission.