Santoprene

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Santoprene is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Santoprene was originally registered by Monsanto Company in 1977 and is now owned by Exxon Mobil. The elastomer itself is the mixture of in-situ cross linking of EPDM rubber and polypropylene. It is supplied as pre-compound material that can be processed using conventional thermoplastic tools. The difference is that Santoprene elastomer possesses the same levels of flexibility and durability that are commonly found with natural rubber compounds. Because of the longer life of Santoprene elastomer in both extreme hot and cold environments, the material is often preferred over rubber.

Properties

The compound is available in hardness grade from 35 Shore A to 60 Shore D. It has good compression set at room temperature and moderate performance at high temperature up to 135 °C. Service temperature is 135 °C (permanent) and 150 °C (temporary). Environmental aging resistance, electrical properties, and liquid resistance are about the same as EPDM and it can replace EPDM in certain applications. It is commonly used in gaskets.

Uses

The material is used for the blades on training knives, swords, and bayonets and also as knife handles because of the superior qualities which allow it to be molded into the blade's tang.

References

  • Folkes M.J, Precessing structure and of block copolymers, Elsevier Applied Science Publisher

External links

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