BASF combines ether and ester in a TPU

With Elastollan® 1598 A 10 FC, BASF presents at its virtual booth on the occasion of the International Trade Fair for Plastics Processing (Fakuma) starting 13 October 2020, a novel TPU plastic with food contact (FC) approval that combines the highly effective hydrolysis and microbial resistance of ether-based thermoplastic polyurethanes with the excellent mechanical properties of ester TPU. Elastollan® 1598 A 10 FC is an aromatic thermoplastic polyether polyurethane that BASF has developed specifically to meet its customers’ requirements for pneumatic hose applications.

With Elastollan® 1598 A 10 FC, BASF customers can benefit from the advantages of two TPU worlds in one product, according to Mark Ottens, Segment Manager of Extrusion TPU at BASF. “This expands the area of application within the target application of pneumatic hoses and the development of new fields of application. Due to the better burst pressure behaviour in relation to temperature, the Elastollan® 1598 A 10 FC can be used to achieve a higher operating temperature of pneumatic hoses compared to conventional ether TPUs.”.

Meeting higher temperatures needs

The main advantages of Elastollan® 1598 A 10 FC are its outstanding product performance, especially at higher operating temperatures, characterised by significantly reduced creep behaviour, increased bursting pressure and the bursting behaviour itself. For customers, this means a longer product life as well as an expansion of the field of application, for example, a higher requirement classification. In addition, Elastollan® 1598 A 10 FC characteristics include outstanding crystallisation behaviour and robust dimensional stability, which results in excellent processability in extrusion. Customers benefit from efficient processing, e. g., faster line speed or less scrap at startup, according to Mr. Ottens.

Versatility, not only for pneumatic hoses

The excellent performance of Elastollan® 1598 A 10 FC widens the range of new industrial applications. For example, the reduced creep behaviour combined with very good wear behaviour makes this product ideal for the conveyor and belt sector. Here, a lower creep tendency leads to less slippage and, therefore, improves the conveyor belt’s operating life. In addition, Elastollan® 1598 A 10 FC is available in all colors and is classified for fire safety, according to UL94 HB.

With the new Elastollan® 1598 A 10 FC, BASF is responding to its customers’ changing needs for a resistant ether-based TPU, coupled with the favourable mechanical properties of the ester-based TPU. In Elastollan® 1598 A 10 FC, BASF demonstrates that even small improvements can effectively open up completely new fields of application and offer added value for customers. In the development phase, BASF is working with customers and partners to examine further fields of application in which the special ether-ester properties of Elastollan® 1598 A 10 FC can offer added value.