Everberg, Belgium - Huntsman has launched Avalon 60 AE-ESD, a plasticiser-free, soft thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) grade.
The new material gives manufacturers the bonding strength and mechanical properties required to make high-quality footwear more easily - particularly safety shoes with electro-static dissipation (ESD) features - on roundtable machines, says Huntsman.
Avalon 60 AE-ESD TPU was developed to meet growing market demand for a soft outsole capable of reaching a hardness of 60 Shore A.
Huntsman says the zero-plasticiser grade can offer improved speed and strength of bonding to suitable polyurethane (PU) midsole materials typically used in double-density constructions.
While it is suitable for use in all types of high quality footwear, Avalon 60 AE-ESD TPU is especially suited to the "rigorous demands of the safety footwear sector," says Huntsman.
The TPU combines softness with flexural strength, and is designed to make shoes that are comfortable yet hard wearing enough to withstand challenging conditions. It also fulfils the exacting requirements of safety shoe standard DIN EN ISO 20345.
The grade offers none of the bonding problems associated with plasticiser migration as well as many technical benefits: electro-static dissipation, good abrasion, slip and flexural fatigue resistance.
Without plasticiser migration, the appearance of footwear is improved.
Avalon 60 AE-ESD TPU is especially aimed at manufacturers that use roundtable machine casting, which allows manufacturers to fully assemble shoes in a single step. (LW)
"
