Thermoplastic Elastomer with High Flexibility and Exquisite Soft Feel SEPTON J Series Development High-Performance, High-Functionality Brand Lineup Enhanced and Strengthened

Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Fumio Ito; "Kuraray") has developed the SEPTON J Series, which boasts significant flexibility and a soft feel, as part of its high-performance, high-functionality lineup of SEPTON brand hydrogenated styrenic thermoplastic elastomers.

SEPTON hydrogenated styrenic thermoplastic elastomers

• Possessing rubber-like elasticity, SEPTON can be easily heat molded like all types of plastic.
• SEPTON is widely used as soft molding material in place of vulcanized rubber and soft polyvinyl chloride.
• The global market amounts to 120,000 tons per year and is expanding approximately 7% per year (Kuraray estimate).

SEPTON J Series' SEPTON high-performance, higher functionality product brand

Development Concept

• Continuing on from the SEPTON V Series, the SEPTON Q Series and the SEPTON K Series that Kuraray has developed and marketed to date, SEPTON J Series have been developed utilizing Kuraray's accumulated polymer design and synthesizing technologies to enhance and strengthen the product lineup and respond to customer needs.
• As SEPTON J shows unique flexibility and a particularly exquisite soft feel when compared with existing products, it is suitable for products requiring low-hardness gel, including joint supports and footwear insoles.

Main Characteristics

• Unique flexibility, exquisite soft feel
• Low melt viscosity and excellent processability
• Superior shock-absorbing properties and vibration dampening performance
• Shares the light weight, mechanical properties (high-strength, superior compression set, tear resistance) and low-temperature properties of current SEPTON products

Potential Fields, Applications

Potential Field(s)	Potential Applications
(1) Medical, nursing care	Artificial leg and protector cushioning material, pad components, joint supports
(2) Everyday goods	Cushioning material for beds, pillows, etc., general cushioning material, toys, shoe insoles
(3) Sporting goods	Shock-absorbing material, protectors
(4) Industrial components	All types of cushioning and sealing material, robot components (shock-absorbing and vibration-dampening materials, artificial skin, etc.)
(5) Electric, electronic components	OShock-absorbing and vibration-dampening materials for office automation (OA) equipment, flat panel displays (FPDs), mobile phone, and other all kinds of digital equipment

Future Plan

Making progress with its development for other applications, Kuraray is targeting SEPTON J Series sales of 1,000 tons per year in five years' time.

Reference Materials

Notes:
From Kuraray research
The above data presents typical values that are not guaranteed

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