Huntsman's new IROGRAN® TPU grades offer better performance in fire hose and textiles

Huntsman's specialty elastomer specialists have developed a new thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) grade for technical extruded parts and blown film applications that outperforms previous generation technologies in terms of durability, production efficiency and reduced production waste Significant improvement
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IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU is the latest addition to Huntsman's proven line of elastomers, known for their performance in a variety of industrial and consumer applications
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Through close collaboration with Huntsman customers, IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU has greater tensile strength than the standard IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 elastomer grade originally developed in 2004
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The new grades also offer better film extrusion quality and high melt strength, making them ideal for blown film applications
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IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU has better resistance in the molten state, which makes the extruded film less likely to break during production, it can help greatly reduce scrap rates, increase production efficiency, and reduce blown film processing waste
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IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU was developed to solve customer problems in different markets including:

- TPU flat lay hose for high pressure industrial and municipal applications such as firefighting
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- Textile Lamination - As a breathable, waterproof layer for rugged high performance apparel
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When manufacturing TPU flat hoses, IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU is applied by an "extrusion through weave" process
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In this application, the product's higher tensile strength is very advantageous: it helps the hose produced to circulate between tightly coiled and extended and placed at high water pressure levels
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For fire hoses, this pressure is typically between 8 and 20 bar (800 and 2000 kPa; 116 and 290 psi)
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When it comes to textile lamination, IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU is an excellent material for forming waterproof, breathable films on rugged performance apparel, including gloves and footwear
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IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU can be blown in a very thin layer and then added to fabrics to provide the protection needed to make high performance outdoor apparel
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IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU adheres well to different types of fabrics and can aid in the stretch and recovery of the materials it is used on
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The properties of this grade also mean that the films produced can be designed with different surface effects, including gloss, smooth and matte
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"IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU is a highly versatile and durable elastic material," said Trent Shidaker, global marketing director, Huntsman Elastomers.
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Soft to the touch, it is ideal for apparel applications that require hours of contact with the wearer.
choice; but it is also strong enough for municipal and industrial hoses that must operate in the harshest conditions
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Our elastomers team has used their development expertise to enhance the processability of IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU without Affect the key performance attributes that this range of products should have, namely excellent hydrolysis resistance, excellent abrasion resistance and microbial resistance
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As a result, this elastomer allows manufacturers to work more efficiently, reduce waste, and create a longer-lasting product; it’s a compelling proposition for the markets we serve
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The chemical basis of IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU dates back to 2004, when the flagship product was first developed
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Later, variants of this product were developed to form Huntsman's line of elastomers, which customers have come to know and love
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Other IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 TPU products offered by Huntsman include:

- IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394: a traditional product introduced in 2004, for the first time in thin-walled technical components, thin-walled extruded profiles, spiral hoses, cable jackets, and films and sheets
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- IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 FCM: Launched in 2015, this grade has a similar basic chemical composition to the standard version of IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394, but is formulated with raw materials that meet FDA regulations for food processing belts and has an NSF 61 rating (Approved for potable water applications)
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- IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 UV: Also introduced in 2015, this product is fortified with proprietary additives to enable it to withstand UV exposure while maintaining good physical properties and appearance
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This product can be used in pneumatic tubing and frac hoses for aerospace and industrial equipment
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