Uses of TPE in HVAC system

Thermoplastics growth in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning products reflects the suitability of these materials to meet today’s requirements, add value and reduce over costs in these applications.

We modify plastic resins with a variety of unique modifiers to yield specific properties and functional benefits. You can depend on Airelastic Industries for unbiased assistance during the development process and during production to be a supplier of quality materials who can meet your delivery expectations anywhere around the globe.

Improved Seals and Ergonomics with Thermoplastic Elastomers

• Bondable to a wide range of substrates
• Dampen vibration, reduce noise, and protect impact points

Typical applications include: Seals and gaskets for control panels. Clamps and brackets for pipe hangers and vibration isolaters.

Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs) are a class of polymers that, within their design limits, behave like thermoset rubber but that, above their melt or softening temperatures, are melt processable via thermoplastic processing methods and, unlike thermoset rubber, can be easily reprocessed and remolded. The ability to process these materials with thermoplastic methods allows for design and fabrication freedom that thermoset rubber does not offer.

All TPEs are composed of crystalline and amorphous domains. Some are blends or alloys of crystalline and amorphous polymers, some are block co-polymers comprised of blocks of crystalline and amorphous domains along the same polymer chain. It is the crystalline domains that act as the “heat-fugitive cross-links” that give TPEs their thermoplastic character and the amorphous domains that give them their elastomeric character. The crystalline domains are typically referred to as the “hard” phase and the amorphous domains as the “soft” phase. While both phases contribute to the overall physical and mechanical properties of a TPE, some key properties may be associated with one phase or the other thereby guiding the selection or design of a TPE compound.

“Hard Phase” — The plastic properties:

• Processing temperatures
• Continuous use temperature
• Tensile strength
• Tear strength
• Chemical and fluid resistance
• Adhesion to inks, adhesives, and over-molding substrates

“Soft Phase” — The elastomeric properties:

• Lower service temperature limits
• Hardness
• Flexibility
• Elongation
• Compression set and tensile set