SABIC and Lubrizol have developed a compatible material solution that is ideally suited for a variety of applications in consumer electronics and mobile mobility. The solution, which combines soft and rigid materials, can help customers advance their sustainability goals, enhance protection for thinner, more fragile applications and simplify manufacturing processes through part consolidation.
The solution uses SABIC's LN specialty compounds and copolymers as a rigid substrate, and Lubrizol's soft ESTANE ECO TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) material, which is overmolded onto the substrate. SABIC's thermoplastics enable thin-wall molding to reduce raw material consumption or provide chemical resistance for increased durability. Lubrizol's ESTANE ECO TPUs are formulated with biobased ingredients and manufactured in ISCC PLUS certified facilities. Potential applications for these complementary materials include laptop computers, cell phone cases, and other electronic devices that require durability, drop resistance, and non-slip surfaces. One potential application is laptop computer cases using glass fiber reinforced LNP THERMOCOMP compounds as the rigid substrate and ESTANE ECO TPU as the soft overmolding polymer. SABIC's materials offer high modulus, low warpage, good ductility and non-brominated/non-chlorinated flame retardancy, as well as impact and weathering resistance. Lubrizol's ESTANE ECO TPUs offer chemical and abrasion resistance. These soft and hard material combinations are also expected to be used in industries other than consumer electronics, where properties such as ergonomics or enhanced haptics are desired. We recognize that the industry needs a combination of soft and rigid thermoplastics to provide high performance and good bond strength,” said Jane Cai, senior business director, Asia Pacific, Lubrizol Engineered Polymers. But finding the right combination can be time-consuming for customers. Lubrizol and SABIC have combined our strengths and sustainable material combinations to provide proven, compatible solutions that can help customers reduce development time and costs and bring new designs and concepts to market. With this approach, endless possibilities are created.”
