HEXPOL has teamed up with Bosch to develop new thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) materials. Boasting UL certification for flammability, the materials have high levels of recycled content and can be used for power-tool grips and housings in the Bosch Professional line, designed for trade professionals and heavy-duty industrial use.
“Balancing mechanical demands, strict flammability and high levels of recycled content made this an interesting material development,” said Christian Berg, Research & Development Manager at HEXPOL TPE GmbH. “We're proud to offer Bosch TPE materials that deliver the durability and high quality required for their renowned products while meeting circularity goals.”
Forming part of the Dryflex Circular TPE range, the new materials feature over 50% recyclate content from PIR and PCR sources. The materials have been certified according to several flammability and safety standards by UL, including:
· IEC 60695-11-10 Horizontal Flame Test.
· IEC 60695-2-12 Glow Wire Flammability Index (GWFI).
· IEC 60695-2-13 Glow Wire Ignition Temperature (GWIT).
· UL 746S Evaluation of Sustainable Polymeric Materials for Use in Electrical Equipment.
Flammability testing like UL 94 and IEC 60695 are well-established industry standards. However, UL 746S was published in 2023, setting out the rules for testing recycled plastics, blended with virgin materials, for use in electrical equipment.
Bosch also considers product appearance and haptics. The Dryflex TPEs were developed to resist migration and hand perspiration, as well as to provide a pleasant surface for a secure grip. Adhesion-synchronised, the TPEs can be overmoulded onto thermoplastic substrates like polypropylene (PP) and glass-filled polyamide (PA 66).
