Addressing Odor and VOC Concerns in Automotive TPE/TPR Materials

In recent years, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE and TPR) have seen widespread use in the automotive industry, but their odor issues have gradually become a focal point of industry attention. Recently, Subo has received numerous inquiries from online users about the availability of odorless TPE and TPR raw materials, which are commonly used in manufacturing automotive trims, medical products, and daily household items. Concerns about the odor of TPE and TPR materials are justified, as strong odors not only cause discomfort but also lead consumers to question whether the materials are non-environmental or even toxic.

For example, entering some cars can immediately overwhelm passengers with an unpleasant smell, exacerbating motion sickness. This odor is known as VOC (volatile organic compounds) in the elastomer industry. In fact, all polymer materials in vehicles contain varying levels of VOC, especially low-quality "leather" seats that emit unbearable odors.

VOC emissions stem partly from the base materials and partly from additives in the modified formulations. Therefore, when developing modified materials for automotive use, it is crucial to minimize the use of high-volatility components. While rubber formulations are complex and may inherently contain odor-causing ingredients, TPE benefits from simpler formulations. However, even in TPE formulations, care must be taken to avoid high-volatility additives.

Key Points on VOC in Automotive TPE:

As a polymer 橡塑 material (rubber-plastic material), TPE may have a slight odor, but specialized TPE compounding systems can effectively reduce odor caused by VOC emissions.
TPE is odorless at room temperature. Even when exposed to high temperatures, any VOC emissions are non-toxic and harmless, as TPE compounding systems do not contain harmful substances such as phthalate plasticizers, bisphenol A (BPA), or nonylphenol. Thus, automotive parts and interior components made from TPE can be used with confidence, as VOC emissions pose no adverse health risks.

Tips to Reduce Odor in TPE Materials and Products:
TPE odors primarily arise from the volatilization of small molecules during high-temperature compounding or processing. To mitigate this:

In TPE compounding systems, preferentially select processing oils and additives with low VOC emissions, such as highly hydrogenated oils.
Allow TPE compounds to cool completely before packaging to reduce residual odor in the pellets.
During TPE product processing, high-temperature injection molding may generate odors, with higher oil content leading to stronger smells. However, the odor of finished products will gradually dissipate after cooling.

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