Design for High Temperatures with Zeotherm� Thermoplastic Elastomers

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 9, 2007) –  The engineer’s toolbox to solve underhood high heat (150°-175°C) requirements while retaining flexibility has traditionally been limited --- heat shields, heat wraps, and thermoset rubber and “rubber-plus” assembled solutions. Zeotherm® thermoplastic elastomers from Zeon add another option for engineers designing underhood components.

Zeotherm provides flexibility with heat resistance to 175°C and fluid resistance against hot engine oil, transmission fluids, axle/lube greases and diesel.

Zeotherm represents a break-through in thermoplastic elastomer technology.  Whereas conventional thermoplastic elastomers and copolyester (TEEE) have heat resistance limited to 140°C or less, Zeotherm is able to survive significantly hotter underhood temperatures.

Testing by Zeon shows that Zeotherm has significantly better resistance to hot automotive fluids and hot air than conventional thermoplastic elastomers.  Even after long-term (1000 hour) testing at hot underhood temperatures (150°C), Zeotherm shows minimal change in hardness/flexibility and does not exhibit dramatic dimensional changes common with other thermoplastic elastomers and copolyesters.

The heat and fluid resistance of Zeotherm make it an ideal candidate for applications where thermoset rubber and/or heat shields have traditionally been used.  This includes replacement of ethylene-acrylic rubber (ASTM abbreviation:  AEM) where Zeotherm brings benefits of reduced part weight, less assembly due to Zeotherm’s ability to be processed together with polyamide (nylon) and lower overall cost.  Functionally, Zeon’s testing has shown that Zeotherm can replace many AEM rubber applications with comparable performance.

Zeon will be showcasing examples of North American and European automotive components that are utilizing Zeotherm at the 2007 SAE World Congress in Detroit, Michigan at the Cobo Center, April 16–19.  The components on display include clean air intake ducts for EPA-2007 compliant diesel engines; dust shield/dirt shield applications including firewall seals and transmission components; exterior trim pieces; filter components and sensor/electronic sealing. 

Additionally, Zeon will be highlighting its newest Zeotherm grade – Zeotherm 100-60B – which provides ‘rubber-like’ flexibility.

For more information, visit Zeon at booth 744 at World Congress or www.zeotherm.com.

About Zeon Chemicals L.P.
Zeon Chemicals L.P. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zeon Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, a world leader in specialty elastomers, polymers and specialty chemicals. Zeon Corporation is one of the

top producers of polymers in the world with plants in Asia, North America and Europe, and Research and Development laboratories in Kawasaki (Japan), Louisville (KY, USA) and        Barry (UK).

Zeon Chemicals, headquartered in Louisville, is the leading producer of specialty elastomers in the USA. It produces Nipol® NBR, HyTemp® and Nipol ACM, Hydrin® ECO, Zetpol® HNBR and Zeotherm® TPVs, which are used in the manufacture of hoses, seals, gaskets, belts and other parts for automotive, industrial, oil field and printing markets. Customers are served from plants in Louisville, (KY, USA) Hattiesburg (MS, USA) and Bayport (TX, USA). 

Zeon Corporation, with combined sales of over US 2.2 billion, utilizes its expertise and basic position in C4 and C5 chemistry to offer a wide range of products. The company employs approximately 2,900 people worldwide.