DuPont and ExxonMobil Chemical Strengthen Bond with New TPVs for Corner Mold Automotive Seals

Advanced silicone additives enable a new generation of TPVs with better bonding to EPDM rubber and low COF for easy operation of doors, windows.

Car Door Seal PhotoWILMINGTON, Del., June 27, 2019 – DuPont Transportation & Industrial today announced the resounding success of its close collaboration with ExxonMobil Chemical’s specialty elastomers business to develop new Santoprene™ thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) for automotive corner mold seals. By replacing traditional organic slip additives with DuPont’s engineered silicone-based additives, the two companies formulated a next-generation Santoprene TPV platform with improved bonding to ethylene propylene diene monomer (EDPM) rubber substrates and a lower coefficient of friction (COF) for the easy opening and closing of doors and windows. The new Santoprene TPV B260 family of products also delivers improved flow properties, abrasion resistance and ultraviolet (UV) light stability.

“Our successful collaboration with ExxonMobil Chemical has achieved much more than cutting-edge TPV products,” said Christophe Paulo, marketing manager, DuPont. “It has also laid the foundation for future projects that take advantage of the unique attributes of our silicone technologies to solve industry challenges and deliver a better consumer experience.”

Taking TPVs to the Next Level

To address customer needs for improved corner mold seals, ExxonMobil Chemical sought to enhance the bonding of Santoprene TPV to EDPM rubber while increasing its sliding performance. However, reducing COF to increase sliding performance can negatively impact bonding. The company collaborated with DuPont to explore the use of its advanced silicone-based additives, which promised to surpass the organic additives ExxonMobil had been incorporating.

The DuPont development team found that synergies between a lower molecular weight silicone polymer and an ultra-high molecular weight silicone polymer delivered the low COF ExxonMobil Chemical was looking for. While delivering better sliding properties than the organic additives, the silicone technology enhanced bonding performance to dense EPDM rubber – a critical factor in overmolding. Further, it enabled higher flow for improved processing ease and throughput, better abrasion resistance to protect against damage from slammed doors and improved UV stability to help prevent cracking and discoloration.

About DuPont Transportation & Industrial
DuPont Transportation & Industrial (T&I) delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to the transportation, electronics, healthcare, industrial and consumer markets. T&I partners with customers to drive innovation by utilizing its expertise and knowledge in polymer and materials science. T&I works with customers throughout the value chain to enable material systems solutions for demanding applications and environments. For additional information about DuPont Transportation & Industrial, visit the DuPont businesses page.

About DuPont
DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials, ingredients and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, building and construction, health and wellness, food and worker safety. More information can be found at www.dupont.com.

About ExxonMobil Chemical
ExxonMobil Chemical is one of the largest chemical companies in the world. The company holds leadership positions in some of the largest-volume and highest-growth commodity and specialty chemical products. ExxonMobil Chemical has manufacturing capacity in every major region of the world, serving large and growing markets. More than 90 percent of the company’s chemical capacity is integrated with ExxonMobil refineries or natural gas processing plants.

To learn more, visit www.exxonmobilchemical.com.