Sarlink used as roof seal in Chinese car

ERJ staff report (DS)

Shenzen, China -- Sarlink thermoplastic vulcanisate (TPV) elastomer is being used in the roof seals of the new M6 seven-seat multipurpose vehicle built by China's BYD Auto, it was announced today by the Thermoplastic Elastomer Division of Teknor Apex Company.

The seals run the length of the vehicle roof on either side. Each is a coextrusion onto a sheet metal strip of two Sarlink compounds, 5790B4 and 5765B4, with Shore A hardnesses of 87 and 65, respectively. The seals are snapped into place during vehicle assembly.

Replacing the EPDM thermoset rubber often used in exterior automotive seals, the seals produced from Sarlink TPV weigh 25 percent less, saving a total of 0.15 kg per vehicle, according to Teknor Apex's Mr. Ting Wang, business development manager. He also cited the economic and environmental advantages of using a thermoplastic: “A key reason why Sarlink TPV has been replacing EPDM is that it eliminates the labor- and energy-intensive vulcanisation step required in the processing of thermoset rubber,” said Mr. Wang. “Another important advantage is the recyclability of both process scrap and finished components.”

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Press release from Taknor Apex