Application: TPE compound could be a dog’s best friend

Waldkraiburg, Germany – Kraiburg TPE has customised its Thermolast K thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) compounds for the manufacture of dog toys in the US, the company announced 25 April.

The German compounder said it worked with a US dog toymaker to address challenges such as offering “uncompromising processing characteristics, high flowability, tear strength, adhesion to PA6 and colouring.”

Thermolast K compound was selected as the material of choice as it can be “precisely tailored to the hard material and eliminates the need for bonding agents even when overmoulded to semi-crystalline resins, such PA6 or PA66.”

Additionally, the natural grade selected for the dog treat conk can be coloured in “brilliant, rich shades” and offer a scratch resistant surface, Kraiburg TPE added.

“In terms of mechanical properties, we were able to customise the compound to the exact level of hardness and flexibility required to achieve the desired soft feel and resilience,” noted Kevin Gase, sales and marketing director of Kraiburg TPE Americas.

Another important specification to be met was the customer’s request for a “domestic” product in line with non-toxicity.

The TPE compound, Kraiburg noted, is manufactured its Buford, Georgia plant “with strict standards of quality and purity.”

In addition to being compliant to REACH and RoHS, the recyclable compound is free of phthalates, halogens, latex or heavy metals.