DuPont ™ ETPV thermoplastic vulcanizate
Available from DuPont Engineering Polymers
DuPont ™ ETPV thermoplastic vulcanizate combines high-speed plastics processing with high-end elastomer performance. By creating a new class of material called engineering thermoplastic vulcanizates (ETPV), it eliminates the manufacturing boundary between rubber and plastics. ETPV is a high-performance elastomer that is molecularly fused into a high-performance thermoplastic base resin. Parts made of ETPV can withstand service temperatures up to 160°C, much higher than thermoplastic elastomers. Manufacturing is up to 10 times faster than rubber processing, and is done on conventional plastics equipment. Applications include automotive ducts and hoses, seals, and body plugs. Rubber-like flexibility and toughness is retained down to -40°C. Parts made of thermoplastic vulcanizate are highly resistant to oil, grease and chemicals.