A new high-tech polymer has been developed by German partners Geba Kunststoffcompounds (Ennigerloh; www.geba.eu) and Bayer MaterialScience (BMS, Leverkusen; www.bayerbms.com). The series "Desmovit" DP R CF is a range of ester-based, carbon-reinforced thermoplastic PU (TPU) which is said to have high abrasion resistance, as well as resistance to various oils and fats, hot air and hydrolysis.

Mechanical properties include excellent tensile strength as well as high-impact and notched-impact strength, making it ideally suited for parts which are subject to knocks and blows. In addition, the material prevents penetration by sharp objects and absorbs impact force, optimally reducing remaining energy.

Geba cited various potential uses for the thermoplastic, including the production of protectors as well as protective cases for tablets and smartphones, sports equipment, and durable housings for items such as tools, watches and binoculars. Its heat and cold stability is also ideal for various outdoor applications.

The carbon-fibre reinforced TPU is antistatic after a certain level of reinforcement, lending itself to uses such as rollers, wheels and housings where electrostatic charges have to be avoided.

Geba said a property search conducted in February 2014 found that "Desmovit" DP R CF’s combination of extreme impact toughness and tensile strength could not be matched by any out of more than 43,000 grades of a well-known material base.