UV Stabilized TPE is SAE J1960 compliant.
Press Release Summary:
With no objectionable color change or blooming, Riteflex® UV655M TPC-ET thermoplastic polyester elastomer for monofilaments, multi-filaments, and nonwovens is suited for office furniture, auto interior, and outdoor products. It provides in excess of 85% property retention for color and elongation at UV exposures of as much as 2,000 kJ/m². Features include hydrolysis resistance, thermal stability, flame retardant to non-halogen XFR® grades, and shore D hardness of 25-72 D.
Original Press Release:
Ticona Unveils a New UV Weatherable Riteflex® TPC-ET for Monofilaments Used in Interior and Exterior Products
Techtextil North America 2008
UV/Weathering Solution
Atlanta, April 1, 2008 - Ticona Engineering Polymers unveiled its new UV-stabilized Riteflex® thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPC-ET) for monofilaments today at Techtextil North America 2008. It represents an ultraviolet (UV) and weathering solution for office furniture, auto interior, and outdoor products that must stand up to the harsh abuse of light and weathering.
Located at booth #1845, Ticona is showcasing Riteflex UV655M TPC-ET, part of a new family of UV stabilized Riteflex grades that Ticona engineered for specific applications, from interior automotive to animal tags to exterior films and fabrics.
Riteflex UV655M TPC-ET for monofilaments, multi-filaments and nonwovens provides in excess of 85 percent property retention for color and elongation at UV exposures of as much as 2000 kJ/m², twice the industry standard, tested according to SAE J1960 in several colors including black. As a result, product manufacturers can use these new monofilaments to create long-lasting fabrics for auto seating, outdoor furniture and other applications exposed to sunlight. In addition, Riteflex UV655M TPC-ET is available in a wide range of standard colors and custom color matching can be performed to match any specific color.
"Countless manufactured products can't stand up to UV and weathering abuse," said Bruce Mulholland, the color technology manager for Ticona. "For example, today's suspension office chairs can discolor and rapidly lose some of their ductility in today's open, sun-drenched offices. Or injection molded hose fittings and cables corrode and crack when used outdoors. This new UV product can help overcome these issues."
Mulholland's UV presentation will be delivered at the Techtextil North America 2008 on Wednesday, April 2.
Specifically, this UV-optimized family of Riteflex TPC-ET offers:
o No objectionable color change or blooming
o Long-term property retention
o Long-term thermal stability
o Improved hydrolysis resistance
o Flame retardance: non-halogen XFR® grades
o Shore D hardness of 25D to 72D
o Processing capabilities including monofilament, injection molding and blown film
Unlike conventional copolyester elastomers (COPE), Riteflex UV stabilized grades of TPC-ET with their special stabilization systems provide protection in both interior and exterior products. For example: UV Riteflex grades shields fabric chair arms from UV induced fading; resist fading and cracking in automotive interior parts - even metallic satin chrome finishes; stand up to weathering extremes in injection molded animal tags, hose fittings and cables for exterior use; and offer advanced UV/weathering to products from exterior seating to trampolines and thin films to cables.
Riteflex TPC-ETs deliver the desirable properties of thermoset elastomers with the processing ease of thermoplastics and combine toughness, tear and flex fatigue resistance with the ability to perform over a wide temperature range. They also offer the excellent chemical resistance of polyesters to common solvents, oils and greases and dilute acids and bases.
"For decades UV and weathering has represented a hard-to-beat challenge," said Mulholland. "Now Ticona offers a family of UV stabilized Riteflex grades, which not only provide the softness and flexibility of rubber but resist the effects of UV and weathering. These are performance characteristics that are critical for applications from automotive interiors to trampolines."
About Ticona and Celanese
Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, produces and markets a broad range of high performance products, and posted net sales of $1.03 billion in fiscal 2007. Ticona employs approximately 2,000 individuals at production, compounding and research facilities in the USA, Germany, Brazil and China. For more information, please visit www.ticona.com.
As a global leader in the chemicals industry, Celanese Corporation makes products essential to everyday living. Our products, found in consumer and industrial applications, are manufactured in North America, Europe and Asia. Net sales totaled $6.4 billion in 2007, with approximately 70% generated outside of North America. Known for operational excellence and execution of its business strategies, Celanese delivers value to customers around the globe with innovations and best-in-class technologies. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company employs approximately 8,400 employees worldwide. For more information on Celanese Corporation, please visit the company's website at www.celanese.com.
