US custom engineered thermoplastics compounder RTP (Winona, Minnesota; www.rtpcompany.com) has licensed the manufacturing rights for ExxonMobil Chemical’s (Baytown, Texas / USA; www.exxonmobil.com) patented “Santoprene” thermoplastic vulcanisate (TPV) nylon bondable thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs). The Winona-based compounder has started producing the range using the same Santoprene TPV technology, to ensure users have a seamless supply transition, and plans in future to develop new markets and applications for the portfolio. RTP will market the range as its “RTP 6091” series of bondable thermoplastic elastomer compounds.

Commenting on the new license, Scott Mumm of RTP’s Strategic Accounts and Alliances division, said, “We are excited about this opportunity to take over production of ExxonMobil Chemical's nylon bondable Santoprene TPV products because their addition will expand our bondable TPE product line and give us a definite advantage by having the highest performance materials in the nylon bondable arena.”

RTP said that when overmoulded, the range offers excellent bond strength with rigid nylon substrates, adding that the portfolio is available with a hardness ranging from 55-85 shore A and in natural, black as well as custom colours. The company said the nylon bondable compounds offer not only superior thermal resistance of up to 135 °C, but also show excellent chemical resistance and better compression properties than alternative styrenic-based nylon bondable TPEs.