APS Elastomers Formulates Proprietary TPE for Wheelchair Grips

Intelliwheels, the maker of handrim grips for wheelchairs, wanted a TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) specially formulated with the right amount of abrasion resistance; allowing greater control and responsiveness for wheelchair users. APS Elastomers developed a TPE with the precise feel and grip needed for wheelchair users to obtain more power going up hills, over carpet and demanding terrain.  “APS Elastomer provided a proprietary formulation with the right amount of abrasion resistance and tackiness; allowing better grip, control and responsiveness when stopping, starting and turning”, says Scott Daigle of Intelliwheels. 

Fit Grip by Intelliwheels

Characterized by its soft feel and cushioning nature, TPEs work well alone or can be bonded to many other harder substrates to improve functionality and design. “We formulated a TPE with better abrasion resistance as well as a combination of aesthetic, sensory, and performance characteristics that allowed Intelliwheels considerable design flexibility”, say Stephane Morin, owner of APS Elastomers. Available in natural pellets, APS Elastomers’ TPEs offer superb colorability.

The patent pending design increases the circumference of the hand rim to minimize the strain on hands, wrists and forearms, while the improved grip allows users to push with less effort. The latex free grips wrap 3/4 of the way around the push rim providing extra grip on the pushing surface leaving the underside exposed for fine adjustments and braking.  Fit Grips stretch to fit over 24”-26” wheels, including power assist wheels and ergonomic handrims. For more information about Fit Grips visit intelliwheels.net/fit-grips.

Fit Grip by Intelliwheels

For more information on how APS Elastomers can find cost-effective solutions, develop proprietary formulations, and enhance products faster and more efficiently, contact info@apstpe.com

A weekly look at new products, innovations

http://www.rubbernews.com/article/20151109/NEWS/151109965/a-weekly-look-at-new-products-innovations

APS Elastomers Creates “Salt and Pepper” Blend for Plaque Manufacturer

The manufacturer of plaques used for automotive paint color samples was looking for a cost-effective custom color for their injection molded products. Located in metro Detroit, they turned to local TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) distributor, APS Elastomers. Stephane Morin, owner of APS Elastomers, suggested a “salt and pepper” color concentrate. Blended with Zythane® TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) that is specially formulated for injection molding applications, they developed a neutral grey resin to achieve the look needed for their customer’s particular application. The polyester-based TPU exhibits excellent abrasion resistance and has good hydrolytic stability.  Moreover, Zythane® TPUs offer good colorability to blend with custom “salt and pepper” color concentrate. “Using a “salt and pepper” blend is an ideal way to significantly reduce cost”, says Stephane Morin.

APS Elastomers'"Salt and Pepper" custom color blend

APS Elastomers offers “salt and pepper” custom color matching and blending for thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs); assisting their customers with a broad range of color concentrate that are FDA, RoHS, CONEG, and NSF compliant and heavy-metal free. “Since our customer uses the same material grade in numerous applications, “salt and pepper” color concentrate allows them to mix a wide range of colors in several smaller, custom batch products; reducing lead time and saving money”, adds Morin.

For more information on TPVs TPEs, TPUs, as well as standard and custom grades, contact: APS

Elastomers at info@apstpe.com

A weekly look at new products, innovations:APS Elastomers' thermoplastic elastomer for Last Stand's target stands.

http://www.rubbernews.com/article/20151012/NEWS/151019999/a-weekly-look-at-new-products-innovations

Last Stand

APS Elastomers Proposes Tough TPU for Molded Last Stand Brackets

APS Elastomers Proposes Tough TPU for Molded Last Stand Brackets

Plastics News: Polymax Receives approval for Medical Applications

Polymax's new TPE material is designed for use in medical and biopharmaceutical applications. Produced in Waukegan, IL,. Polymax TPEs are distributed in the U.S.A. by APS Elastomers.

Polymax Receives Approval for Medical Applications

APS Elastomers Develops ‘Tough’ TPU for Target Stands

Avid sportsman and target shooter, Greg Gempler was looking for an inexpensive, flexible, adjustable, and easily transportable target stand that could hold anything from paper to steel.  Most importantly, it had to be bullet resistant; withstanding large caliber, high velocity rounds through repeated hits. He soon discovered that there were many variations of target stands; everything from sheets of plywood and boxes to expensive and elaborate contraptions that required a flatbed truck to transport. "As an avid target shooter, I got to thinking there has to be a better way”, says Gempler. Necessity is the mother of invention, so Greg took it upon himself to create The Last Stand.

Made in Idaho, The Last Stand are molded thermoplastic elastomer (TPU) brackets that clip onto rebar rods to construct an A-frame swing type target stand. The height can be adjusted by varying the length of the rebar inserted through the bracket; allowing a range of adjustment for angled ground. “Greg needed a material that would allow a projectile to pass through without destroying the part itself”, says Stephane Morin, owner of APS Elastomers.  The target stands also required a friction component that allows the legs to remain solidly in place when assembled. “Other materials were too "slick" and the rebar would slide out of place”, adds Greg.

The Last Stand

APS Elastomers proposed a TPU to Greg that met specific requirements for molding The Last Stand; tough and durable, easy processing, good colorability, well suited for soft and rigid application, lightweight, excellent low temperature flexibility, and fatigue resistant.

The Last Stand is the culmination of nearly two years of product development and testing. “It’s the target suspension system shooters have been waiting for”, says Greg.

For more information on how APS Elastomers can find cost-effective solutions, develop proprietary formulations, and enhance products faster and more efficiently, contact info@apstpe.com

For more information about The Last Stand, visit www.laststands.com

TPE Compounder Reshores to Chicago Area : Plastics Technology

TPE Compounder Reshores to Chicago Area : Plastics Technology

Thermoplastic Materials | 2015-09-01 | Appliance Design Magazine

Thermoplastic Materials | 2015-09-01 | Appliance Design Magazine

A Quick Link to Rubber and Plastic News articles featuring APS Elastomers

APS Elastomers featured in Rubber and Plastic News 2014-2015

Rubber and Plastics News: Demand for Rubber Cable Compounds Remains Strong

APS Elastomers, based in Romulus, Mich., has added an extrusion grade for flat conductor network cables to its Viprene range of thermoplastic vulcanizate elastomers.

APS Elastomers Helps Meet the Demand

Rubber News Weekly Look at New Products, Innovations

Each week, Rubber & Plastics News takes a look at some of the rubber industry's new products and innovations. This week APS Elastomers was chosen for "salt and pepper" color matching. Read article here  Rubber News Product of the Week

Demand for rubber cable compounds remains strong

APS Elastomers, based in Romulus, Mich., has added an extrusion grade for flat conductor network cables to its Viprene range of thermoplastic vulcanizate elastomers
http://www.rubbernews.com/article/20150806090000/NEWS/307279976

Global thermoplastic elastomers market is expected to reach $19.76 billion by 2022

http://www.rubberworld.com/news.asp#23096

"salt and pepper" color blending at APS Elastomers

blue "salt and pepper" TPU color blend

blue "salt and pepper" TPU color blend

blue "salt and pepper" TPU color blend

Custom Color Blends

custom color blend @ APS Elastomers

MATERIALS: Blow-Moldable TPV for Automotive and Beyond : Plastics Technology

MATERIALS: Blow-Moldable TPV for Automotive and Beyond : Plastics Technology

APS Elastomers Now Offers Custom Color Blends

APS Elastomers now offers “Salt and Pepper” custom color matching and blending for thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV); assisting their customers with a broad range of color concentrate that are FDA, RoHS, CONEG, and NSF compliant and heavy-metal free. “Simply provide the Pantone number or a color chip and we can blend into the raw material the color concentrate to match”, says Stephane Morin, owner of APS Elastomers.

Available in natural pellets, APS Elastomers’ Zythane® TPUs and Viprene® TPVs offer superb colorability. “Good colorability allows OEMs and processors to manufacture their end product in a variety of bold colors” adds Morin.   In addition to good colorability, they are fatigue resistant, dimensionally stable and offer very low compression set, heat aging stability, low temperature flexibility, and excellent U.V., and ozone stability. They can be processed using conventional injection molding and extrusion equipment.

Zythane TPU Sample Plaques

 APS Elastomers is committed to providing in-depth and high level customer and technical service, problem-solving, product development and support to designers, OEMs and processors; building relationships based on knowledge, trust and experience. APS Elastomers also provides beside-the-press consulting, full laboratory services and expedited shipment.

For more information on TPVs TPEs, TPUs, as well as standard and custom grades, contact: APS Elastomers at info@apstpe.com

Zythane TPU Sample Plaque

Zythane TPU Sample Plaque