Blow molding TPU

[mk2000]

Does any one know anyone or any thing about blow molding TPU (Thermo Plastic Urethane)?
I am interested in molding processes for TPUs specially blow molding in medical applications.

 

[gambro]

Ask the big manufacturers of TPU such as Bayer (Desmopan), Dow (Pellethane) or medical TPU specialists like Thermedics Inc.

 

[mrglynn]

What kind of questions do you have? TPU's for blowmolding are frequently used for bellows and boots in the automotive industry. In medical applications, they can be used for passive suction bulbs. What durometer and wall sections are you looking at?
Mike Glynn
763-428-6180

 

[RobinE]

Blow Molding TPU's is a bit more difficult than 'popular' materials like Polyethelene or PVC.
Hytrel and Santoprene TPU's are used a lot for car parts.
The melt strength of TPU's can be low so that the parison stretches while hanging. This causes the molding to thin towards the top.
This makes large parts more difficult to blow mould.

The rubber-like properties is what makes TPU attractive as a replacement for natural and synthetic rubbers.

If the processing conditions are not correct the TPU moulding will split when stretched.

A company called Ossberger makes a machine that is specifically designed to mould small TPU parts.
Have a look at

http://www.ossberger.de/

Good Luck
Robin Enderby