Swedish compounder Hexpol TPE (Malmö; www.hexpoltpe.com) introduced “Dryflex HiF”, a family of high-melt flow scratch resistant thermoplastic elastomer-styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (TPE-SEBS) materials developed for injection moulding of large-scale interior automotive parts such as instrument panels, door trims and skins. Dryflex HiF was developed in collaboration with US speciality polymers company Kraton (Houston, Texas; www.kraton.com) based on Kraton’s “IMSS” technology.

The surface performance of Dryflex HiF meets Erichsen scratch resistance and Crock abrasion testing values, making the materials viable for automotive applications with higher abrasion, scratch and heat-resistance requirements. Injection moulding TPE is a faster process than traditional polyurethane coating, PVC slush moulding or TPO foil processes used in these applications, and the TPE is recyclable.

Low-gloss matte surface parts with no visible weld lines are achievable, while Dryflex HiF’s density (0.9g/cm3) can decrease part of the weight. The material can be used as a skin with a subsequent foam backing, or in multi-component applications with direct overmoulding to polypropylene.