TPE

[not related to]

What material can i add to make it harder? Something that you do not have to dry.

[Jim]

Try some unfilled polypro.....have done this before to stiffen up TPE.

J.P.

[not related to]

I got another question, Im wondering if its necessary to dry TPE? I usually dont dry Elastomers but this is Polyester.

[Louis]

I'm thinking yes. And very dry at that.

[Len]

I'm thinking yes. And very dry at that.

Adding to Louis' comments... 4 hours @ 225F and -30F dew point is recommended for COPE TPE. Moisture = 0.05%. Surface defects, degradation of properties, process instability are some consequences of poor/inadequate drying.

Len

[not related to]

Now the customer wants to run natural, but the dryiing is turning it a little bit pinkish. Should we get pre-colored white (TPE 672) or add 2% white concentrate. In China they did not dry the material-so it was more white natural, unfortunately their parts were brittle and ours are not.

[Jim]

I would use the color concentrate........most likely cheaper then buying pre-colored material. Depending on if you have some sort of color match to maintain, I would use as little concentrate as necessary to maintain appearance. TPE's can sometimes be difficult to color and the colorant that you select must be compatible with the base resin.

J.P.

[DwightDixon]

Talk to your tpe supplier. They know their material better than anyone else. If it is SEBS based, it does not need drying. If it is Santoprene, drying is suggested. Pink coloration during during drying is caused by antioxident additive in the TPE. Supplier could recommend a different grade or recommend you not dry it. White pp based Color concentrate could mask the problem at extra cost.