Applying soft-touch materials strategically using overmolding can help reduce required grip strength and contact pressure . A cut-out view shows the hard plastic substrate and the overmolded soft-touch TPE . All three designs featured an overmolded soft-touch TPE to add security to the grip and reduce the impact force felt by the hand .

Introduction A hard/ soft combination of TPEs and rigid thermoplastics provides differentiations of a product in various applications (1). This hard/soft combination design has been driven by an escalating market trend pushing toward enhanced ergonomic feel and touch, gripping feel, aesthetics, cushioning against impact, vibration isolation or dampening and insulation. Over the years, many rigid thermoplastics have been utilized with this hard/soft design in order for specific performance and additional value.

Soft-touch thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) overmolded onto a lightweight paddleshaft made of Avient’s advanced composite materials can help add to the experience and avoid annoyances such as blisters. BRINGING SOFTNESS TO A ROUGH RIDE SENSORY EXPERIENCE Copyright © 2020, Avient Corporation.

DURABILITY High Impact Strength, Weatherability SOLUTION: PP, HDPE, ASA, Nylon Engineered Formulations AESTHETIC APPEAL Custom Color & Special Effects, Paint Replacement SOLUTION: Custom Polymer Colorants, Pre-Colored High-Gloss Thermoplastics THERMAL MANAGEMENT LED Heat Sinks, Design Flexibility SOLUTION: Thermally Conductive Formulations EXTREME PERFORMANCE Chemical & Fire Resistance, High Temperature Performance SOLUTION: Nylon Engineered Formulations, Long Fiber Reinforced Composites, Continuous Fiber Composite Tapes & Laminates, Flame Retardant Polyolefin Formulations STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY High Stiffness-to-Weight Ratio, Metal Replacement SOLUTION: Pultruded Rods, Tubes & Custom Profiles, Long Fiber Reinforced Composites SENSORY EXPERIENCE Vibration Damping, Durability, Customization, Custom Color, Low Friction SOLUTION: Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs), Custom Polymer Colorants, Internally Lubricated Formulations, Advanced Composite Springs STRENGTH & STABILITY Excellent Dimensional Stability, High Stiffness, Impact Resistance SOLUTION: Short & Long Fiber Formulations, Continuous Fiber Composite Tapes & Laminates SURFACE PROTECTION Performance Enhancements SOLUTION: Scratch & Mar Resistance, UV Stable Additives, Anti-Static Additives STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE Corrosion Resistance, Lightweighting SOLUTION: Long Fiber Reinforced Composites, Nylon Engineered Formulations, Continuous Fiber Composite Tapes & Laminates, Chemical Foaming Additives METAL REPLACEMENT Lightweighting, Heat Management, Load Carrying Capability SOLUTION: Long Fiber Reinforced Composites, Continuous Fiber Composite Tapes & Laminates TACTILE EXPERIENCE Soft-Touch Feel, Durability SOLUTION: Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs) https://www.avient.com/industries/consumer/outdoor-recreation/powersports https://www.avient.com/industries/consumer/outdoor-recreation/powersports 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No matter how many times you expose TPEs to sufficient heat they will become soft and re-harden when cool. Adding surface texture can make harder grade TPEs feel softer to the touch, so your product can benefit from both qualities. Both TPEs and LSR can be used to add a soft grip on top of a hard substrate.

SENSORY EXPERIENCE Wear Resistance, Noise Reduction, Low Friction SOLUTION: Internally Lubricated Formulations, Thermoplastic Elastomers, Scratch and Mar Resistant Additives POSSIBILITIES: Gears, Gaskets, Hood Dampers, Seating Systems STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY High Stiffness-to-Weight Ratio, Metal Replacement, Part Consolidation SOLUTION: Long Fiber Reinforced Composites POSSIBILITIES: Seat Base, Brake Pedal, Frame, Floor Pan, Controls EXTREME PERFORMANCE Chemical & Fire Resistance, Extreme Temperature Performance, Thermal Management, Lightweighting SOLUTION: Engineered Nylon Formulations, Flame Retardant Polyolefin Formulations, Engineered Polyketone Formulations, Thermally Conductive Formulations, Chemical Foaming Agents POSSIBILITIES: Under-the-Hood Applications, Electrical Connectors, Battery Assembly Housings, Exterior Trim and Equipment THERMAL MANAGEMENT Heat Dissipation, Flexible Design SOLUTION: Thermally Conductive Formulations POSSIBILITIES: LED Lights, Heat Sinks AESTHETIC APPEAL Custom Color, Special Effects, Paint Replacement, Corrosion Resistance, UV Stability SOLUTION: Custom Pre-Colored Formulations, Pre-Colored High-Gloss Thermoplastics, Solid Color Masterbatches POSSIBILITIES: Body Panels, Pedals, Control Grips, Bezels, Brand Elements TACTILE EXPERIENCE Soft-Touch Feel, Durable, Wet Grip Performance, Color Customization, UV Stability, Ergonomic Design, Overmolding SOLUTION: Thermoplastic Elastomers, Combination Colorant and Additive Formulations, Fabric-Effect Colorants and Additives POSSIBILITIES: Steering Wheel, Switches, Knobs © 2024, All Rights Reserved Avient Corporation, 33587 Walker Road, Avon Lake, Ohio USA 44012 https://www.avient.com/products/engineered-polymer-formulations/general-engineered-formulations/lubrione-internally-lubricated-formulations https://www.avient.com/products/engineered-polymer-formulations/general-engineered-formulations/lubrione-internally-lubricated-formulations https://www.avient.com/products/thermoplastic-elastomers/tpe-knowledge-center https://www.avient.com/products/thermoplastic-elastomers/tpe-knowledge-center https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/visual-enhancement-effects/cesa-scratch-mar-resistance-additives https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/visual-enhancement-effects/cesa-scratch-mar-resistance-additives https://www.avient.com/products/engineered-polymer-formulations/high-temperature-polymer-formulations/complet-long-fiber-reinforced-structural-thermoplastics https://www.avient.com/products/engineered-polymer-formulations/high-temperature-polymer-formulations/complet-long-fiber-reinforced-structural-thermoplastics https://www.avient.com/products/engineered-polymer-formulations/general-engineered-formulations/nymax-bergamid-polymer https://www.avient.com/products/engineered-polymer-formulations/general-engineered-formulations/nymax-bergamid-polymer https://www.avient.com/products/engineered-polymer-formulations/flame-retardant-formulations/maxxam-fr-flame-retardant-polyolefin-formulations https://www.avient.com/products/engineered-polymer-formulations/flame-retardant-formulations/maxxam-fr-flame-retardant-polyolefin-formulations https://www.avient.com/products/engineered-polymer-formulations/general-engineered-formulations/edgetek-pke-polyketone-formulations https://www.avient.com/products/engineered-polymer-formulations/conductive-signal-radiation-shielding-formulations/therma-tech-thermally-conductive-formulations https://www.avient.com/products/engineered-polymer-formulations/conductive-signal-radiation-shielding-formulations/therma-tech-thermally-conductive-formulations https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/foaming-agents/hydrocerol-chemical-foaming-agents https://www.avient.com/products/engineered-polymer-formulations/conductive-signal-radiation-shielding-formulations/therma-tech-thermally-conductive-formulations https://www.avient.com/products/engineered-polymer-formulations/conductive-signal-radiation-shielding-formulations/therma-tech-thermally-conductive-formulations https://www.avient.com/products/engineered-polymer-formulations/general-engineered-formulations/custom-pre-colored-specialty-engineered-formulations https://www.avient.com/products/engineered-polymer-formulations/general-engineered-formulations/artisan-pre-colored-thermoplastics-premium-finishes https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-colorants/solid-color-masterbatches https://www.avient.com/products/thermoplastic-elastomers/tpe-knowledge-center https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-colorants/color-additive-combination-masterbatches/smartbatch-combination-colorants-additives https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-colorants/color-additive-combination-masterbatches/smartbatch-fabric-fx

It increases polymer IV in the melt phase, allowing for: • Improved rPET quality and performance • Higher target IV’s • Reduced solid state polymerization time • Increased productivity It also aids in the drive towards the circular economy and helps Brand Owners achieve sustainability targets through: • Reduced carbon emissions • Increased rPET content Extruder PCR Flake SSP Reactor TIME IV rPET resin with increased IV With rePrize • Reduced SSP or oven time • Reduced yellowing IV lift in extruder Without rePrize Extruder PCR Flake SSP Reactor TIME IV rPET resin with increased IV With rePrize Without rePrize IV lift in extruder INCREASED TARGET IV ColorMatrix rePrize allows for increased target IV and increased strength of the rPET material, enabling a wider range of product applications including carbonated soft drinks (CSD). For further information, please get in touch with your local sales representative.

HOW4D DESIGN PROCESSU S E O U R 4 D P R O C E S S T O A C C E L E R AT E N E W P R O D U C T D E V E L O P M E N T SPECIALTY PORTFOLIO We combine design services with Avient’s materials portfolio to bring an unbiased, expert point of view to your design1 Color & Additives Engineered Materials Composites Soft Touch Distribution Rely on our technical expertise to validate that designs are manufacturable and materials will perform as intended once formed MANUFACTURING4 FEA/Moldflow/Mechanical SimulationDesign OptimizationDesign for Manufacturing Processing Expertise Supply Chain Development Visualize color, material and finish options using our exclusive tools and expertise3 COLOR, MATERIAL & FINISH (CMF)DESIGN Color & EffectsTexture/FinishApplication Development Material Specification 2 INDUSTRIALDESIGN From ergonomics and concept sketches to 3D models and photo rendering, you can count on our world-class studio to help you innovate Ethnography Brand Language Development Ergonomics & Usability Concept Sketching 3D Modeling 3D Prototypes Photo Renderings WANT TO LEARN MORE?

DURABILITY High Impact Strength, Weatherability SOLUTION: PP, HDPE, ASA, Nylon Engineered Formulations AESTHETIC APPEAL Custom Color & Special Effects, Paint Replacement SOLUTION: Custom Polymer Colorants, Pre-Colored High-Gloss Thermoplastics THERMAL MANAGEMENT LED Heat Sinks, Design Flexibility SOLUTION: Thermally Conductive Formulations EXTREME PERFORMANCE Chemical & Fire Resistance, High Temperature Performance SOLUTION: Nylon Engineered Formulations, Long Fiber Reinforced Composites, Continuous Fiber Composite Tapes & Laminates, Flame Retardant Polyolefin Formulations STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY High Stiffness-to-Weight Ratio, Metal Replacement SOLUTION: Pultruded Rods, Tubes & Custom Profiles, Long Fiber Reinforced Composites SENSORY EXPERIENCE Vibration Damping, Durability, Customization, Custom Color, Low Friction SOLUTION: Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs), Custom Polymer Colorants, Internally Lubricated Formulations, Advanced Composite Springs STRENGTH & STABILITY Excellent Dimensional Stability, High Stiffness, Impact Resistance SOLUTION: Short & Long Fiber Formulations, Continuous Fiber Composite Tapes & Laminates SURFACE PROTECTION Performance Enhancements SOLUTION: Scratch & Mar Resistance, UV Stable Additives, Anti-Static Additives STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE Corrosion Resistance, Lightweighting SOLUTION: Long Fiber Reinforced Composites, Nylon Engineered Formulations, Continuous Fiber Composite Tapes & Laminates, Chemical Foaming Additives METAL REPLACEMENT Lightweighting, Heat Management, Load Carrying Capability SOLUTION: Long Fiber Reinforced Composites, Continuous Fiber Composite Tapes & Laminates TACTILE EXPERIENCE Soft-Touch Feel, Durability SOLUTION: Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs) A COLLABORATION THAT BRINGS STYLE & GRIT To all thrill seekers, fans and enthusiasts, your brand says, “Bring it!”

Material Selection The most common word used to describe a soft touch overmold is “feel” — but the term itself is very difficult to describe. Thickness Effects When choosing a soft touch TPE, designers usually ask for the softest material available. Thickness Effects When choosing a soft touch TPE, designers usually ask for the softest material available.