kuraray

News Releases 2010

Thermoplastic Elastomer with High Flexibility and Exquisite Soft Feel
SEPTON J Series Development
High-Performance, High-Functionality Brand Lineup Enhanced and Strengthened

July 1, 2010
Kuraray Co., Ltd

Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Fumio Ito; "Kuraray") has developed the SEPTON J Series, which boasts significant flexibility and a soft feel, as part of its high-performance, high-functionality lineup of SEPTON brand hydrogenated styrenic thermoplastic elastomers.

SEPTON hydrogenated styrenic thermoplastic elastomers

  • Possessing rubber-like elasticity, SEPTON can be easily heat molded like all types of plastic.
  • SEPTON is widely used as soft molding material in place of vulcanized rubber and soft polyvinyl chloride.
  • The global market amounts to 120,000 tons per year and is expanding approximately 7% per year (Kuraray estimate).

SEPTON J Series' SEPTON high-performance, higher functionality product brand

Development Concept
  • Continuing on from the SEPTON V Series, the SEPTON Q Series and the SEPTON K Series that Kuraray has developed and marketed to date, SEPTON J Series have been developed utilizing Kuraray's accumulated polymer design and synthesizing technologies to enhance and strengthen the product lineup and respond to customer needs.
  • As SEPTON J shows unique flexibility and a particularly exquisite soft feel when compared with existing products, it is suitable for products requiring low-hardness gel, including joint supports and footwear insoles.
Main Characteristics
  • Unique flexibility, exquisite soft feel
  • Low melt viscosity and excellent processability
  • Superior shock-absorbing properties and vibration dampening performance
  • Shares the light weight, mechanical properties (high-strength, superior compression set, tear resistance) and low-temperature properties of current SEPTON products

Flexible, easy-fit knee joint support

Insole for women’s shoes reduces shock to heel

Potential Fields, Applications
Potential Field(s) Potential Applications
(1) Medical, nursing care Artificial leg and protector cushioning material, pad components, joint supports
(2) Everyday goods Cushioning material for beds, pillows, etc., general cushioning material, toys, shoe insoles
(3) Sporting goods Shock-absorbing material, protectors
(4) Industrial components All types of cushioning and sealing material, robot components (shock-absorbing and vibration-dampening materials, artificial skin, etc.)
(5) Electric, electronic components OShock-absorbing and vibration-dampening materials for office automation (OA) equipment, flat panel displays (FPDs), mobile phone, and other all kinds of digital equipment
Future Plan
Making progress with its development for other applications, Kuraray is targeting SEPTON J Series sales of 1,000 tons per year in five years' time.

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Reference Materials

SEPTON J Series Representative Compound Properties
  Unit Using SEPTON J Series Using Existing SEPTON Product Remarks
Hardness
(Type A)
(Shore OO)		    
0
14		  
0
28 		Flexibility, soft feel
Impact resilience rate % 36 71 Shock-absorbing/ vibration dampening properties
Melt flow rate
160deg.C, 21N
200deg.C, 21N		  
g/10min
g/10min		  
34
>400		  
3
76		 Low melt viscosity
High processability
Compression set
40deg.C
70deg.C		  
%
%		  
9
59
  
10
51		 Mechanical performance
on par with existing products

Notes:
From Kuraray research
The above data presents typical values that are not guaranteed

High-Performance, High-Functionality SEPTON Brand Lineup
Product Name Main Characteristics Representative Potential Applications
SEPTON V Series
  • Oil resistance, durability
  • Automotive components: weather stripping, lining materials, etc.
SEPTON Q Series
  • Wear resistance
  • General industrial products: Sheet, film, etc.
  • Sporting goods: Soles of spike shoes, etc.
SEPTON K Series
  • Bondability with glass and all types of metal
  • Material for window glass surrounds
  • Electric and electronic component materials
SEPTON J Series
  • Flexibility, soft feel
  • Medical, nursing care field: Pad components, joint supports, etc.
  • Everyday goods field: Cushion materials, shock- absorbing materials, shoe insoles, etc.