Bada AG BADAFLEX® SEBS-Comp. TPE-S 70A 1006 H UV is a styrenic block copolymer-based thermoplastic elastomer compound with a nominal hardness of 70 Shore A measured according to ISO 868 or ASTM D2240. The grade code combines the 1006 series identifier, the 70A hardness class, the H processing designation, and the UV suffix that signals a weathering stabilizer package. The underlying SEBS matrix consists of polystyrene end blocks and a hydrogenated poly(ethylene-co-butylene) midblock; this structure permits melt reprocessing and produces a dry, non-tacky surface without vulcanization. In unfilled 70A SEBS compounds, density typically falls between 0.89 g/cm³ and 0.91 g/cm³ under ISO 1183-1, while tensile strength is commonly reported between 4 MPa and 8 MPa and elongation at break between 400 % and 700 % under ISO 37. Published data for this specific configuration is limited; lot-level certificates from Bada AG should be used for qualification. The compound is intended for injection moulding and profile extrusion of outdoor-weathering seals, grommets, grips, cable fittings, and surface-contact components. Its principal difference from non-UV SEBS grades is resistance to photo-oxidative chain scission; its principal difference from PP/EPDM thermoplastic vulcanizates is lower density and a different compression-set profile.

What Processing Window and Drying Conditions Are Required for BADAFLEX® TPE-S 70A 1006 H UV?

Processing of the 1006 H UV grade is governed primarily by melt residence time, shear history, and moisture equilibrium. SEBS compounds have low inherent moisture uptake, but condensation on stored pellets occurs when relative humidity exceeds 60 %. Pre-drying in a desiccant dryer at 60–80 °C for 2–4 h is therefore recommended after storage in opened containers for more than 8 h. The drying air dew point should be maintained below -20 °C. Injection moulding on a 24:1 to 30:1 L/D screw should use a low-compression screw with a compression ratio from 2.5:1 to 3.5:1; aggressive mixing elements can cause local melt temperatures to exceed 230 °C and trigger chain scission in the ethylene-butylene midblock. Barrel settings typically progress from 160–180 °C in the feed zone to 190–220 °C in the metering zone, with nozzle temperature between 190 °C and 220 °C. Melt temperature measured by a needle pyrometer should not exceed 230 °C. Residence time above 10 min at this temperature is a known failure mode on production-scale equipment: HALS-based UV stabilizers are consumed by thermal oxidation before the part enters service, producing yellowing and premature loss of weathering performance. Mould temperature is normally held at 20–50 °C; gloss control and mould texture replication improve when the mould surface temperature is at least 30 °C. Clamping force should be estimated from projected area at 3–6 kN/cm² for multi-cavity tools. For profile extrusion, a screw with L/D 25:1 to 30:1 and a breaker plate downstream of the extruder head is preferred to reduce pressure fluctuation and die swell. Published data for this specific configuration is limited for extrusion back-pressure values; trial validation is required.

Against non-UV SEBS grades of equivalent 70 Shore A hardness, the primary difference is retention of mechanical properties after accelerated weathering. Under ISO 4892-2 xenon-arc exposure with a black-standard temperature of 65 °C and water spray cycling, non-UV SEBS compounds can develop surface microcracking before 500 h, while UV-stabilized formulations of this class are generally formulated to retain more than 70 % of tensile elongation after 1000 h, depending on colour and part thickness. The stabilizer package does not prevent gloss loss; colour change measured under CIE L*a*b* may exceed delta E 3.0 after 1000 h in dark colours. Compared with a mineral-oil-extended PP/EPDM TPV at the same hardness, the SEBS compound typically has lower density and lower melt stiffness, but higher compression set at 70 °C under ISO 815-1. Compared with TPU of 70 Shore A, the SEBS compound has better hydrolytic stability but inferior abrasion resistance and lower tensile modulus under ISO 37. Compared with a 70 Shore A silicone rubber, the 1006 H UV grade is melt-processable on standard thermoplastics equipment and can be co-moulded with polypropylene, but its continuous service temperature is narrower. These distinctions are material-class properties and do not replace grade-specific datasheet comparison.

Outdoor Exposure Limits and Stabilizer Migration Are Temperature-Dependent

Outdoor service influences the 1006 H UV compound through two coupled mechanisms: photo-oxidation at the surface and temperature-dependent stabilizer consumption. In continuous use above 70 °C, the UV package is depleted more rapidly than predicted by ambient weathering tests; applications that combine high solar irradiance with dark part temperatures above 80 °C require accelerated validation under ISO 4892-2 with black-standard temperature set to the actual in-field surface temperature. The stabilizer package typically includes hindered amine light stabilizers and a UV absorber. Because these species migrate within the polymer matrix under service, the compound can transfer stabilizer to adjacent thermoplastics, particularly polycarbonate, where contact-induced stress cracking has been observed on co-moulded production batches. The use of amine-based processing aids is not recommended because they can deactivate the stabilizer package and contribute to surface haze. Additionally, the grade should not be exposed to chlorinated water, strong oxidizing acids, or aromatic solvents; these agents extract the stabilizer and plasticizing oil.

For two-shot moulding and overmoulded grips where polypropylene bonding is critical, substrate temperature at the point of overlay should be maintained above 80 °C but below 130 °C. Melt temperatures below 190 °C have been associated with delamination at the weld line on production-scale rotary platen machines; the failure occurs because polymer interdiffusion at the SEBS-PP interface is insufficient before solidification. The UV-stabilized surface may exhibit slightly lower polar surface energy than a non-UV SEBS grade; corona discharge or plasma treatment is not normally required for homopolymer polypropylene, but adhesion to glass-fibre-filled PP or flame-retardant PP must be validated by peel testing using a 180° peel fixture at a separation speed of 100 mm/min according to ISO 8510-2 or an equivalent company standard. Cavity textures in the range of 25–40 µm improve mechanical bonding in high-wear grip zones. Wall thickness transitions should be designed with radiused corners not less than 0.5 mm to limit stress concentration and subsequent UV-initiated cracking. Mould filling simulations require a grade-specific viscosity curve; if supplier MVR is not available, a capillary rheometer sweep across 100–1000 s⁻¹ at 200 °C should be generated before final gate sizing.

When Continuous Oil or Grease Contact Replaces Aqueous Outdoor Service

When the operating environment shifts from aqueous or atmospheric exposure to continuous oil contact, the 1006 H UV grade is not suitable. SEBS compounds are extended with white mineral oil, and immersion in aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon oils leads to extractive loss of the extender, swelling, and hardness reduction. Under ISO 1817, representative 70A SEBS grades can show volume swell exceeding 50 % after 70 h in IRM 903 oil at 100 °C. The UV stabilizer package does not improve hydrocarbon resistance. Brief splash contact may be acceptable if the part is wiped clean and dimensional change remains within drawing tolerance, but dynamic retention seals in oil service should be converted to NBR/PP TPV or carboxylated NBR compounds. Contact with chlorinated solvents, esters, ketones, and aromatic fuels is categorically outside the operational boundary. Ethylene glycol coolants generally produce lower swelling but can extract low-molecular-weight stabilizer fractions during prolonged contact; automotive underhood applications should be validated by circulating coolant testing at 90 °C for 1000 h rather than bench immersion alone.

Compliance Verification Matrix and Regulatory Test Designations

Compliance documentation for the 1006 H UV grade must be verified against the actual compound formulation and not assumed from SEBS chemistry alone. The table below lists the regulatory areas most often required for outdoor consumer and electrical goods. Supplier declarations should reference the exact test report, batch number, and test date.

Electrical enclosures and outdoor cable fittings frequently require a UL 94 HB rating at 3 mm thickness. The 1006 H UV grade may be formulated to meet UL 94 HB when tested under IEC 60695-11-10; thinner sections below 1.5 mm require supplier-specific evidence because UV stabilizers and processing oils can alter ignition behaviour. Applications with prolonged skin contact should additionally evaluate leachable content under EN 71-3 or ISO 10993-5 where regulatory status demands. Published data for this specific configuration is limited for extractables; therefore, only grade-specific documentation should be used for medical device risk files.