Test Results Verify That Alcryn® Melt-Processible Rubber™ Remains the Best-Performing Elastomer in Automotive Itch-Suppression Applications
by Anonymous

WILMINGTON, DE August 27, 2003 -– An independent test lab has confirmed that Alcryn® Melt-Processible Rubber™ (MPR), manufactured by Advanced Polymer Alloys (Wilmington, Del.), a division of Ferro Corporation, is the most effective elastomer available to suppress itch noise in automotive applications.
   
Custom Acoustic Research, Lexington, Mich., a research firm specializing in squeak and itch acoustic evaluation, conducted the tests using Alcryn MPR and samples from several leading thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) manufacturers. The test data clearly demonstrates that Alcryn is consistently the highest performer for quieter window lace constructions. What’s more, all samples except the Alcryn MPR showed a tendency to abrade during use.

“This testing confirms what we see in the automotive market. Over the last 15 years, the Alcryn MPR 2000 series has demonstrated success in automotive window lace constructions. And Custom Acoustical Research’s data indicates that our more economical extrusion grade, Alcryn MPR 4060BK, also performs well in itch testing.” said Brian Geissler, automotive marketing manager for APA. “The data clearly demonstrates that Alcryn MPR shows marked reduction in acoustic output over the other materials.

"The automotive elastomer market is growing increasingly competitive, and more and more customers are demanding a quiet driving environment. Quiet equals quality. In automobile designs where squeak is a major problem, the one step co-extrusion of Alcryn and rigid PVC minimizes noise while at the same time eliminating many manufacturing steps. This makes for a quieter cabin, increased quality, and a more satisfied customer,” Geissler said.

Alcryn MPR, first introduced to the marketplace in 1987, is currently in use by all major automotive manufacturers including Ford, General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, and others. Applications include window lace, fender seals, instrument panel skins, antennas, and more.

About Alcryn MPR
Alcryn MPR delivers the durable performance characteristics of rubber and easily processes on conventional plastics equipment, which provides cost savings. Alcryn MPR does not require compounding or pre-drying before processing. Since parts made from Alcryn require no vulcanization, scrap can be recycled repeatedly with no detrimental effect on performance or appearance. When compared to soft TPEs and many vulcanized rubbers, Alcryn MPR outperforms in durability, coefficient of friction, and resistance to abrasion, chemicals, oils, fuels, and long-term exposure to sunlight and other aspects of weathering. Every grade in the product line can be made flame-retardant using a concentrate supplied by APA.

About APA
Advanced Polymer Alloys is a division of Ferro Corporation and the world's only manufacturer of Melt-Processible Rubber, sold under the brand name Alcryn. Based in Wilmington, Delaware, APA is dedicated to helping product manufacturers and part fabricators gain a marketing advantage by improving the customers’ product quality and simplifying their manufacturing processes.

Ferro Corporation is a major international producer of performance materials for industry, including coatings and performance chemicals. The company has operations in 20 countries and recorded sales of $1.5 billion in 2002.

For more information on the company’s product line, visit APA on the Web at www.APAinfo.com or call 888-663-6005.

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