Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) Stickiness

[Greg4745]

Hi,

I am creating a grip that utilizes thermoplastic rubber and ABS plastic. The issue I am having is that the thermoplastic rubber has a sticky texture instead of a smooth texture. Has anyone else experienced this issue before? Are there any tips you can recommend?

Thanks,
Greg

 

[GrahamBennett]

What grade of TPE are you using?

 

[Greg4745]

Hey Graham,

I spoke to my manufacturer and she said "there is no grade level difference for TPE", so I am unsure of what additional information I can provide. Have you heard of TPR having a sticky texture before? Anything that can be done to make it not sticky?

Cheers,
Greg

 

[tom1953]

Greg,
Either your manufacturer misunderstood or she's feeding you a line, as there are many different TPE products/grades available from different manufacturers. One, Teknor Apex, shows on their web site "Teknor Apex has commercialized over 1,000 compound recipes spanning the TPE technology spectrum."

Maybe your supplier only makes one grade of TPE?

Good luck!

 

[Greg4745]

Hey Tom,

Here is the latest from my manufacturer:

"I believe there must be some mistake on the quality rank of TPE between us. In order to avoid any misunderstanding & running things faster, a guideline from Tom/Graham will be of great help.
We can follow their suggestion to make the TPE. If such TPE will not stick, then the problem is solved. If not, we can try to find other ways."

Do you have any TPE recommendations? We are using the TPE on a hand grip that is molded to ABS Plastic.

Greg

 

[Metten]

You should ask the technical data which the used TPE should have (hardness and other properties, main constituents/ingredients). I am certainly no expert on TPE, but that answer was just weird. The supplier should also be able to give process parameters (working time/temperatures) which should be a good starting point.

 

[tom1953]

Greg,
Unfortunately, I'm not an expert in TPE either and, unfortunately, it doesn't seem like your supplier is either.
Good luck!
tom

 

[Greg4745]

Thanks guys. The manufacturer is going to play with the working time/temperatures and see if we can get rid of the stickiness that way.

Greg

 

[GrahamBennett]

Like Tom I'm no expert on TPEs either. The reply from your supplier is really strange in that they do not seem to be anything more than resellers and have no technical knowledge whatsoever. If this is the case I would be inclined to contact Exxon-Mobil directly to discuss a suitable grade of Santoprene.