Santoprene sheet is a type of thermoplastic material with high-performance capabilities and Santoprene sheet material is a cross-linked chain of EPDM rubber and polypropylene. Santoprene rubber is generally known for its flexibility, durability and low compression set. However, in order to truly understand the composition of this material and all its benefits, it is important to comprehend what thermoplastic means and how it is different from other kinds rubber. Let us see what makes Santoprene rubber special.

First off, Santoprene sheet is a combination of plastic and rubber. Plastic is a flexible material, yet fragile; while rubber is a durable substance, yet firm. Essentially, this thermoplastic materials takes the positive qualities of both plastic and rubber (flexibility and durability) and combines it into a bendable, slightly stretchy and durable material. With the mixture of plastic and rubber components, Santoprene has the same processing ease of thermoplastics. The processing ease of thermoplastics enables a rubber sheet or mat to be handled as an elastomer, but produced as plastic. This is one of the reasons why manufacturers will typically produce Santoprene in the same way they do plastic. The end result is a material that can be used in many of the same applications as other elastomers, while still maintaining its flexibility. In addition, Santoprene rubber is also recyclable.

What makes Santoprene sheet different from other products is the cross-linking bond in its structures. Unlike thermoset rubbers, which sound similar, thermoplastics are developed in a different way and have a contrasting structure. If we were to take a microscope and zoom in on thermoplastic rubber, we would see that the bond is weaker than the cross-linking bond compared to other elastomers. Thermoplastic materials uses a dipole (or hydrogen bond) instead of a covalent bond used in other materials (http://www.allsealsinc.com/allseals/Orings/or01.htm). Despite the weaker cross-linking bonds in thermoplastics, they still display a high-performance in the applications that they are used in.

Santoprene rubber is very similar to plastic because it is reusable and can be recycled, which also allows it to be remanufactured. Since it contains plastic, Santoprene sheet can be easily molded and does not require stabilizing and/or compounding when reused. An additional characteristic of Santoprene and other types of thermoplastic materials is that they are can be stretched, yet returned to their original shape. This material can also be melted at high degrees and withstand transient temperatures up to 150 Celsius (300 F) and continuous temperatures up to 135 Celsius (275 F) per SAE J2236. The burn rate of this material is considered slow, thus meeting the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 302. Furthermore, Santoprene will not deform under stress. These qualities define and distinguish thermoplastics from other natural and synthetic rubbers

Thermoplastic materials (or rubber) possess excellent resistance to many chemicals, as well as, exceptional ozone and weathering resistance. This material also has fluid resistance similar to polychloroprene for aqueous-based fluids, oils and hydrocarbons. With these advantages, Santoprene rubber is a reliable product for numerous applications. Applications include (but not limited too): appliance components, automotive applications, consumer applications, diaphragms, electrical parts, gaskets and seats. Additionally, this material meets many ASTM specifications, including many automotive specs. For example, this product has been used in the following automotive brands: Chrysler, Delphi, Ford and Valeo.

In regards to bonding and decorating, like other polyolefins, Santoprene is a stubborn material for bonding and decorating. Adhesives, tapes and coating do not adhere to this material because they do not have the surface tension needed to wet Santoprene. Surface tensions must be lower than 28 dyne/cm in order for materials to comply with this thermoplastic materials. Also, because of its polyolefin base, Santoprene is an absolutely recyclable product. Moreover, because it is produced from fully recycled/reclaimed rubber, this material can also be remanufactured without deforming.

Due to its various benefits and unique composition, this product is a smart option for a multitude of applications, especially in automotive functions like under the hood. This thermoplastic materials is chemical, fatigue, ozone and weathering resistant, making it a great rubber product with awesome capabilities. Thermoplastics combine two unlike things, plastic and rubber. Although these are two opposite materials, the end result is a thermoplastic materials with great beneficial properties.