Plastic Fantastic: The Advantages Of Choosing TPV For Car Component Fabrication
When the average motorist inspects their vehicles, they generally focus on substantial metal components such as engine blocks, brake discs and differentials, while neglecting the smaller, more innocuous components. However, the components of your vehicle made from plastic or rubber, such as air hoses, window weather seals and airbag covers, are just as important to a safe, comfortable drive as their more substantial counterparts.
Consequently, the market for plastic and rubber aftermarket components is consistently high, and fabricating them can be a lucrative business indeed. However, businesses that manufacture these components must ensure that the materials they use are up to the task, and traditionally used rubbers and thermoplastics are far from the most attractive options.
Thermoplastic vulcanizates (commonly sold as TPVs, or the brand name Santoprene) represent a substantial upgrade over most materials conventionally used for plastic and rubber vehicle components. These remarkable plastics have a number of attractive properties that make them ideally suited for aftermarket component fabrication:
Durable
Santoprene is remarkably durable, even when compared to the toughest thermoplastics and chloroprene rubbers. It is capable of withstanding extremely high temperatures and internal pressures, is chemically unreactive even when exposed to strong acids, and suffers minimal distortion when stretched or deformed beyond elasticity limits. Unlike some rubbers and plastics, it also does not suffer from significant degradation when exposed to moisture or intense UV sunlight.
All of these properties make TPVs an exceptional choice for under-the-bonnet components, where plastic components can expect to be exposed to intense temperatures and various chemical pollutants. Air, fuel and water hoses, plugs, plug sockets, cable jacketing and suspension bellows are just some of the components that can be made from TPV. It is equally useful when used to make weatherproof seals for doors and windows and can be expected to endure everything Mother Nature can throw at it.
Lightweight
TPVs are very light compared to most materials used to make rubber or plastic car components and can represent substantial weight savings when used to fabricate larger components, such as suspension bellows. This makes aftermarket TPV components highly sought after by track racers and other performance enthusiasts, where every gram saved may take another second off your lap times. It can also save your business money by reducing the costs of transporting and safely storing your raw materials and finished components.
Easy to work with
Unlike many propietary materials, TPVs are fully compatible with equipment used to craft conventional thermoplastics, so switching to TPVs will not entail any additional equipment and training costs. Vacuum formers, injection moulders and other pieces of equipment can all be used to craft TPVs with no modifications or adaptations.
Environmentally friendly
TPVs are fully recyclable, unlike many plastic and rubber derivatives, and they can be processed by most plastic recycling facilities. It does not require heat or chemical curing, reducing the energy used to manufacture components, and it contains minimal amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can contribute to pollution. This makes TPVs far more environmentally sound that most of its competitors.