CONDUCTIVE TPE

Electrically Conductive Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE)

Introduction
In demanding applications such as electrical equipment and
electronics, thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) have to meet
increasingly stringent requirements. Growing importance is
being placed on halogen-free flame retardancy and electrical
conductivity properties. Our research and development teams
have engineered several solutions to meet these challenges.
TPEs and polymers in general tend to be good insulators
and therefore have low electrical conductivity. In many
applications the high electrical resistance of polymers is an
advantage, however in some areas this property can be an
issue. For example in the electrical and electronics industries
polymers have many advantages over other materials, such
as processability, mechanical properties, weight or price, it is
desirable to make these conductive. In the past the driving
factors were mainly aesthetic or hygienic reasons, such
as preventing the attraction of dust. Today polymers are
increasingly being used in sensitive applications that are for
instance ATEX rated.

Filling with Carbon Black

It is necessary to add special fillers to the polymer matrix to
give them the desired conductive characteristics. Carbon black
is an important conductive filler for TPEs. Compared to other
additives (e.g. graphite, carbon nanotubes, metallic flakes or
fibres) it often has better compatibility with the base resin, is
easier to process, more efficient and cheaper. Carbon blacks
also provide protection against UV light degradation.

The properties of the carbon black will influence the

performance of the final compound. The conductivity
of a polymer filled with carbon black does not increase
proportionally with the carbon black concentration. Up to a
given filler level the resistance decreases only slightly until
the percolation zone is reached. In this region the resistance
falls strongly for only small increases in concentration. At
concentrations above the percolation zone the resistance
approaches that of the pure additive.
It is very difficult to adjust the resistance of a material in the
region of the percolation threshold (106 to 1014 m) with a
conductive additive since the resistivity is very sensitive to
variations in concentration and homogeneity of the carbon
black. Therefore in practice conductive compounds are
adjusted to values above the percolation zone.
In TPE compounds as with other polymers, alongside the
desired properties conductive carbon black can lead to some
problems. Carbon black generally raises the viscosity as
well as lowering flexibility. The loss of flexibility is especially
problematic for thermoplastic elastomers since this is one of
their key characteristics. On top of that it is difficult to produce
soft TPE formulations (lower Shore A region) since conductive
carbon black significantly increases hardness.
In spite of the tendency of carbon black to raise the Shore
hardness we have developed conductive grades with low
Shore hardnesses and uniformly good conductivity. This
means that the hardness can be adjusted from low Shore A
up to high Shore D values. The intelligent use of additives in
these conductive TPE compounds not only allows very soft
grades to be realized, but also makes high flexibility as well as
resilience possible.
The flow properties can also be altered to suit the desired
values so that a very wide range of materials can be injection
moulded or extruded.

Semi conductive
Insulating

Antistatic ESD

1017
Standard Dryflex

1012

EMI

109
Dryflex C1 Series

106

101
Dryflex C3 Series

Conductive
10-2

10-5

Dryflex C conductive TPE compounds are graded according to their special features:
Dryflex C1 Series
The C1 Series consists of materials in natural colours that can easily be coloured. The compounds have a permanent antistatic /
ESD effect and a surface resistivity down to 108.
Dryflex C3 Series
The most conductive materials are the C3 Series with a surface resistivity down to 103. Due to the conductive additive, carbon
black, the materials are only available in black. The UV and ozone resistance exhibited by the C3 Series are excellent.

Tensile
Strength
MPa

Surface
Restivity

0.93

4.2

3E+08

0.93

11.0

7E+08

Black

0.95

3.9

1E+03

Black

1.08

4.2

1E+02

Hardness
Shore A or D

Colour

Specific
Gravity
g/cm3

Dryflex C1 5065

65 A

Natural

Dryflex C1 7040

40 D

Natural

Dryflex C3 6068

68 A

Dryflex C3 6070

70 A

Material

Processing
Dryflex thermoplastic elastomers are widely used for producing injection moulded or extruded parts with high elasticity and flexibility.
These properties are affected by the design of the parts and the material flow. Further information about processing TPEs can be
found in our processing guides, available to download at www.hexpolTPE.com

All information given about chemical and physical properties consists of values measured in tests on injection moulded test specimens. We provide written and illustrated
advice in good faith. This should only be regarded as being advisory, and does not absolve the customer from doing their own tests and trials, to determine the suitability
of the material for the intended applications. We retain the right to make changes without prior notice. Figures are indicative and can vary depending on the specific
grade selected and production site.

EN_HP_072013

About HEXPOL TPE

We are at the forefront in the development and manufacture of custom formulated thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and
complimentary compounds.
Our family delivers a trusted combination of material know-how, R&D, production capability and comprehensive technical
services. Alongside European and Asian production and product development facilities, as part of the HEXPOL group of
companies, we share an extensive global footprint covering EU, Asia and NAFTA, enabling us to support our customers
worldwide.

Contact us...
This product guide serves as an overview of our products; we are continuously testing ingredients to create new material
combinations with enhanced characteristics. Use this guide as an introduction to our products, if you do not see what you
are looking for, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss your specific requirements.

ELASTO Sweden
Sweden
t +46 532 60 75 00
f +46 532 60 75 99
info@elasto.se

ELASTO UK
UK
t +44 161 654 6616
f +44 161 654 2333
info@elasto.co.uk

ELASTO Sales Office

France
t +33 1 60 43 17 17
f +33 1 60 43 11 13
info.fr@elastotpe.com

ELASTO China
Part of HEXPOL Compounding (Foshan)
China
t +86 757 2291 5100
f +86 757 2291 5149
info@elasto.cn

Mller Kunststoffe
Germany
t +49 9571 94894 0
f +49 9571 94894 90
info@mueller-kunststoffe.com

Mediprene, Dryflex, Lifoprene, Lifoflex, Lifocork, Lifolit, Lifobatch and EPSeal are registered trademarks property of the HEXPOL group of
companies. We provide written and illustrated advice in good faith. This should only be regarded as being advisory, and does not absolve the customer from doing
their own tests and trials, to determine the suitability of the material for the intended applications. We retain the right to make changes without prior notice.

For further information or

to download this and other
publications please visit
www.hexpolTPE.com

www.hexpolTPE.com

A comprehensive product portfolio covering TPS, TPO, TPV, TPU, soft PVC, cork compounds and masterbatch is led by
global brands Dryflex, Mediprene, Lifoflex, EPSeal, Lifolit, Lifocork, Lifobatch and Lifoprene. We support
OEMs, moulders and designers at all stages of product development in the medical, electronic, automotive, caps &
closures, construction and consumer markets.