Technologies

The Estane® ETE TPU product line consists of both polyether- and polyester-based TPUs from 50D and higher that not only overcome the typical manufacturing problems associated with hard-grade extrusion, but also offers significant cost savings and performance advantages. It provides the performance to substitute more expensive materials such as PA11, PA12, COPE, or even COPA.

While it is known that increased hardness provides for significant improvement of properties, as illustrated in Graphs 1and 2, these materials are difficult to process on a commercial scale due to their narrow melt range, fast crystallization and setup, and their tendency to freeze within the extruder.

Major Benefits of Estane® TPU

As can be seen in Graph 3, Estane® ETE TPUs provide for a unique melt stability when compared to traditional TPUs. Pellets are melted and maintained at a stable viscosity without the expected crystallized chunks, gels or flushing problems during periodic line stoppages. Extrusion can be interrupted with material in the barrel for up to 25 minutes, with no restart problems or product defects.

Performance Features 

• Ability to reduce wall thickness
• Excellent transparency
• Fast processability, even equivalent to that of PA
• Increased physical properties and chemical resistance
• Higher burst pressure resistance

Applications

Multilayer or single layer spiral hoses, braided hoses, or TPU tubing such as:

• Air powered tools
• Robotics
• Garden hoses
• Pneumatic hoists
• Automated equipment
• Food processing equipment

Film & Sheet

• High moisture and vapor barriers, as required in military applications
• Decorative foils
  
• Sport equipment

Injection Molding

• Especially suited for difficult processing conditions such as with hot manifolds