SILIKE's Si-TPV series products address the challenge of incompatibility between thermoplastic resin and silicone rubber through advanced compatibility and dynamic vulcanization technologies. This innovative process disperses fully vulcanized silicone rubber particles (1-3µm) uniformly within the thermoplastic resin, creating a unique sea-island structure. In this structure, the thermoplastic resin forms the continuous phase, while the silicone rubber acts as the dispersed phase, combining the best properties of both materials.
SILIKE's Si-TPV series Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Elastomers offers a soft touch and skin-friendly experience, making them the ideal choice for overmolding on handles for both powered and non-powered tools, as well as handheld products. As an innovative over molding solutions material, Si-TPV softness and flexibility of Elastomers are designed to provide a soft feel and/or non-slip grip surface, enhancing product features and performance. These slip Tacky Texture non-sticky elastomeric materials enable handle grip designs that combine safety, aesthetics, functionality, ergonomics, and eco-friendliness.
The Si-TPV series soft over-molded material also exhibits excellent bonding with a variety of substrates, including PP, PE, PC, ABS, PC/ABS, PA6, and similar polar substrates or metals. This strong adhesion ensures durability, making Si-TPV an ideal choice for producing long-lasting, soft and comfortable handles, grips and button.
Overmolding recommendations |
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Substrate Material |
Overmold Grades |
Typical Applications |
Polypropylene (PP) |
Sport Grips, Leisure Handles,Wearable Devices Knobs Personal Care- Toothbrushes, Razors, Pens, Power & Hand Tool Handles, Grips, Caster Wheels,Toys |
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Polyethylene (PE) |
Gym Gear, Eyewear, Toothbrush Handles,Cosmetic Packaging |
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Polycarbonate (PC) |
Sporting Goods, Wearable Wristbands, Handheld Electronics, Business Equipment Housings, Healthcare Devices, Hand and Power Tools, Telecommunications and Business Machines |
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Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) |
Sports & Leisure equipment, Wearable Devices, Housewares, Toys, Portable Electronics, Grips, Handles, Knobs |
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PC/ABS |
Sports Gear, Outdoor Equipment,Housewares, Toys, Portable Electronics, Grips, Handles, Knobs, Hand and Power Tools, Telecommunications and Business Machines |
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Standard and Modified Nylon 6, Nylon 6/6, Nylon 6,6,6 PA |
Fitness Goods, Protective Gear, Outdoor Hiking Trekking Equipments, Eyewear, Toothbrush Handles, Hardware, Lawn and Garden Tools, Power Tools |
SILIKE Si-TPV (Dynamic Vulcanizate Thermoplastic Silicone-based Elastomer) Series products can adhere to other materials through injection molding. Suitable for insert molding and or multiple material molding. Multiple material molding is otherwise known as Multi-shot injection molding, Two-Shot Molding, or 2K molding.
Si-TPV series have excellent adhesion to a variety of thermoplastics, from polypropylene and polyethylene to all kinds of engineering plastics.
When selecting a Si-TPV for soft touch overmolding application, the substrate type should be considered. Not all Si-TPVs will bond to all types of substrates.
For more information regarding specific Si-TPV overmolding and their corresponding substrate materials, please feel contact us now to learn more or request a sample to see the difference Si-TPVs can make for your brand.
SILIKE Si-TPV (Dynamic Vulcanizate Thermoplastic Silicone-based Elastomer) Series products offer a uniquely silky and skin-friendly touch, with hardness ranging from Shore A 25 to 90. For manufacturers of hand and power tools, as well as handheld products, achieving exceptional ergonomics, safety, comfort, and durability is crucial. SILIKE’s Si-TPV overmolded lightweight material is an innovative solution designed to meet these needs. Its versatility makes it ideal for a range of grip handles and button parts, end products including hand and power tools, cordless power tools, drills, hammer drills, impact drivers, grinders, metalworking tools, hammers, measuring and layout tools, oscillating multi-tools, saws, dust extraction and collection, and sweeping robot.
Si-TPV Overmolding for Power and Hand Tools, What You Need To Know
Understanding Power Tools and Their Applications
Power tools are indispensable across industries such as construction, aerospace, automotive, shipbuilding, and energy, and they are also commonly used by homeowners for various tasks.
The Power Tools Challenge: Ergonomic design for comfort and safety
Similar to traditional hand tools and handheld devices, manufacturers of power tools face the significant challenge of creating handle grips that are tailored to meet the ergonomic requirements of the operators. The misuse of electrically powered portable tools has the potential to result in severe and excruciating injuries. With the development of cordless tools, The introduction of battery components in cordless tools has led to an increase in their overall weight, thereby posing additional complexities in the design of ergonomic features.
When manipulating the tool with their hand—whether through pushing, pulling, or twisting—the user is required to exert a specific degree of grip strength to ensure safe operation. This action can directly impose mechanical loads on the hand and its tissues, potentially leading to discomfort or injury. Furthermore, as each user applies their own preferred level of grip strength, the development of ergonomic design that places utmost importance on safety and comfort becomes crucial.
Way to Overcoming Ergonomic Design Challenges in Power Tools
To overcome these design-related challenges manufacturers need to focus more on the ergonomic design and comfort of a user. Ergonomically designed power tools provide better comfort and control to the operator, allowing the work to be completed with ease and less fatigue. Such tools also prevent and reduce the health problems associated with or caused by using specific power tools. Besides, features such as vibration reduction and non-slip grips, balancing tools for heavier machines, lightweight housings, and extra handles help enhance user comfort and efficiency while using the power tools.
However, productivity and efficiency are strongly influenced by the level of comfort or discomfort experienced during the use of power tools and hand products. Therefore, designers need to enhance the interaction between humans and products in terms of comfort. This can be achieved by improving the functionality of the tools and products, as well as by enhancing the physical interaction between the user and the product. Improvements in physical interaction can be made through the size and shape of gripping surfaces and the materials used. Research indicates a strong correlation between the mechanical properties of materials and the user’s subjective psychophysical response. Additionally, some findings suggest that the material of the handle has a greater influence on comfort ratings than the handle’s size and shape.