TPE delivers solution to a sticky bonding problem

13/07/2015

A challenging task of bonding together two different rigid substrate materials—acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) and polycarbonate/acrylonitrile styrene butadiene (PC/ABS)—in an automotive A-pillar window application has been achieved through utilization of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) from Kraiburg TPE. The materials supplier teamed up with its distributor Chase Plastics and processor Innotech Precision Inc. to deliver the solution to a leading U.S.-based automaker.

Chase Plastics was working with Innotech Precision on the A-pillar window application, with Innotech searching for a TPE for its second shot soft-touch plastic that would adhere to the aforementioned substrates. The molder had previously trialed three different kinds of TPE brands and none were able to fulfill the application requirements.