Fiber reinforced composites are a popular material of choice for reliable performance, providing high flexural strength and excellent resistance to heat, moisture, and chemical exposure.

They wanted to transition from metal to a polymer-based, two-component handle that would deliver: • scratch and chemical resistance • excellent mechanical properties • a grippy, soft-touch feel To support the transition, Victorinox sought our help based on its expertise in polymer science and ability to support product development and efficient manufacturing of the new two-component handles.

In addition to the lighter weight requirement, the material and process would need to deliver an ultra-low cycle time with improved processability and tailored crystallization dynamics, while also resisting warpage after molding, a common issue for thin walled plastic parts.

They also add important characteristics, such as SWELLCOAT® water-blocking, water repellence, adhe- sion, color, and wear and UV-resistance to these and many other applications.

On one hand, soft materials can reduce shoulder impact, but it’s tough to find a material that provides plenty of comfort while also resisting material breakdown.

In response to the tests, Avient leveraged its expansive portfolio of specialty additives to tailor the TPE for enhanced UV resistance and to inhibit mold growth—leading to an end product that would perform better for longer.

Avient Corporation 3 Simplified Drop Test • 65g steel ball • Dropped from 305mm • Onto 3.175mm thickness flat samples Materials Tested • Standard TPE 30 Shore A • TPU alloy 60 Shore A • Damping TPE 32 Shore A VDT reduces bounce Avient Corporation 4 SIMULATION & CALIBRATION E N 1 6 2 1 - 1 L E V E L 2 Image courtesy of Airobag TV https://www.youtube.com/c/AirobagTV/videos Simulation of Impact A weight dropped onto protective element in contact with rigid substrate https://www.youtube.com/c/AirobagTV/videos Avient Corporation 5 SIMULATION & CALIBRATION E N 1 6 2 1 - 1 L E V E L 2 REFINING THE DESIGN D E S I G N A N D M A T E R I A L C O M B I N A T I O N Avient Corporation 6 • A number of different shapes and designs are created and simulated to determine which one works best • Refining to meet EN standard • VDT TPEs can help reach compliance with EN1621-1 level 2 and EN1621-2 level 1 • Optimum protection can be achieved by combining industrial design and engineering Avient Corporation 7 VALIDATION P R O T O T Y P I N G W I T H 3 D P R I N T I N G 3D Printing Validation -15% -10% -5% 0% 5% 10% Density Tensile Strength // Tear resistance // Rebound resilience 2mm 3D Printed VDT vs Injection Molded VDT can be 3D printed for concept evaluation early in the design process SUMMARY Avient Corporation 8 • Enabled a new, compact design with a customized VDT TPE formulation • Improved user comfort and functionality • Fulfilled EN standards • Reduced number of prototyping tools required • Reduced time spent in product development by 40 percent, enabling faster commercialization of product

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FDM 78113 PURPLE PVC

PVC WHITE BOOSTER