A good grip is both a comfort and a safety issue when it comes to power tools, and PolyOne has tackled the slippery matter of lubricants greasing handles making them unsafe.
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PolyOne
Products from tool grips to suitcase handles can benefit from superior oil and abrasion resistance with Versaflex OM TPE for nylon.
The materials developer has announced what it calls a "significant enhancement" to its existing TPE technology, which will help products with nylon grips and deliver superior resistance to oil and abrasion.
The new GLS Versaflex OM TPE material bonds tightly to nylon substrates to deliver a soft, yet resilient grip for safety, ergonomics and comfort. Material testing shows that it surpasses other TPEs on the market in resisting the oil and abrasion often encountered with demanding usage.
Charles Page, Director of Global Marketing, PolyOne GLS Thermoplastic Elastomers, explained: "Many products, from industrial tools to suitcases, use nylon grips that benefit greatly from the tactile qualities of over-moulded TPEs. Our new technology helps these grips to perform well under tough usage conditions over the life of the product."
Testing under ASTM D3389 proved that this new material delivers 40 per cent better abrasion resistance than a leading competitor’s product, as well as incumbent GLS nylon over-moulding grades.
Versaflex OM also allows for lower processing temperatures to achieve superior bond strength. Using two-shot or insert moulding, the material bonds tightly without adhesives to most standard nylons, as well as heat-stabilised, lubricated, glass-filled and impact-modified versions.
Available in translucent and black formulations, this new over-moulding TPE grade can be custom coloured to meet aesthetic and branding needs. With a standard Shore A hardness of 60, the material can be customised to other hardness levels to meet specific customer requirements.