Noncrosslinking TPEs for Cold, Warm, Hot Water

Kraiburg TPE has launched Thermolast DW compounds for seals and sanitary components that come in contact with hot water. The compounds are said to meet the evaluation criteria for plastics and other organic materials in contact with drinking water established by the German Environment Agency (KTW-BWGL)

Specific applications include seals, sealings and components such as shower heads. The compounds are said to meet all relevant requirements in the European Union for final products that come into contact with cold water, warm water and — for the first time — hot water.

Introduced at Fakuma 2023 and scheduled to be available commercially by the first quarter of 2024, the compounds will replace the previous DW and DW/CS products. According to the supplier, they are not only regarded as being the first compounds of their kind for hot water applications, but also make Kraiburg TPE the only supplier of noncrosslinking TPEs in this market segment.

Thermolast DW compounds also offer a range of other benefits, says Kraiburg TPE. The company maintains they provide better compression set at higher temperatures and can be processed more easily due to improved flow and demolding properties. The range of types of materials comprises products with different hardness grades and with secure adhesion to PP or PE in multicomponent compounds.

This performance profile makes Hot Water TPEs from KRAIBURG TPE well suited for sophisticated drinking water and sanitary applications in an extended field of applications. Typical examples are parts used in the environment of cold water, warm water and hot water temperature ranges such as seals, fittings or showerheads.

The new compounds are tasteless and odorless, and provide smooth surfaces directly from the mold, without requiring any finishing, the company notes. Extensive test series have also proven the compounds’ reliable resistance to the growth of microorganisms in accordance with EN 16421 (formerly DVGW W270). The drinking water approvals relevant for the EU will have been obtained prior to the commercial launch, according to the company.