Why Use TPE Materials for Your EV Charging Plug?
Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common and require durable components that can be efficiently produced. Electromobility plugs, for example, are a critical part of the charging infrastructure. They require robust material solutions to handle high power loads and frequent usage. Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) materials present an excellent solution to meet these demands due to their customisability and electrical insulating properties.
What are the Key Benefits of TPE materials?
- Safety:Â Electrical and insulation properties can be tailored to meet various product safety standards. For example, we offer UL 94 V0 certified HFFR TPEs. Representative grades have also been tested for CTI (Comparative Tracking Index), GWIT (Glow Wire Ignition Temperature), Dielectric Strength and Smoke Density.
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- Durability: We offer TPE materials with high resistance to weathering and UV. Depending on the grade, they can withstand storage temperatures between -40°C and 120°C.
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- Easy Processing: TPEs offer efficient processing via injection moulding and adhesion to different thermoplastics in multi-component 2K processes.
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- Sustainability: TPE materials are recyclable during processing and in closed-loop systems. We have also developed TPE with recycled or biomass sources. We use tools such as Product Carbon Footprinting to calculate the CO2e and climate impact of our materials.
 - Customisation: Our TPE materials can be highly customised, with adjustable hardness and colour. The mechanical properties can be adjusted to meet your requirements.Â
Anatomy of an EV Plug
Examples of TPE Materials for Electromobility Plugs: ​
Dryflex UVX 75.01B045-4 | Dryflex UV FLAM 60700-2 | Dryflex PU 1080 AB | |
|---|---|---|---|
TPE Class | TPS with adhesion to Polyamide | Halogen-Free Flame Retardant (HFFR) TPS | TPU-ARES |
Hardness | 75 Shore A | 60 Shore A | 80 Shore A |
Key Features | Adhesion to PA for multi-component applications. | Certified UL94 V0 (1.5mm). Excellent flame-retardant properties. | Good recovery properties. Compression set: 40% (70°C, 24h), high durability. |
Application | Plug housings and components requiring a comfortable, tactile surface. | Plug housing seals. | Plug lids and caps. |
Sustainability | Grades available with PCR recycled content. | Recyclable during processing and in closed-loop systems. | Recyclable during processing and in closed-loop systems |
Link to Product Page | CLICK HERE | CLICK HERE | CLICK HERE |
“Thermoplastic Elastomers allow customers to design electromobility plugs with soft-touch haptics and the highest safety standards regarding water sealing, electrical insulation and UV resistance. TPE materials can also be realised with recycled or bio-attributed content, Decreasing the use of fossil raw materials and reducing the carbon footprint of EV plugs.“
Contact Our Electromobility Expert
Thomas Köppl
Group Product Manager, HEXPOL TPE
