A little rain must fall, but it’s best if it doesn’t fall into your car. Automotive weather strips are rubber seals that keep water and air from infiltrating the car cabin through doors and trunk lid. Weather stripping also helps keep the interior air in, thus saving energy required for heating and air-conditioning. But if the quality of rubber is not good enough, it may result in gradual leaking of sealing system that can cause water accumulation, which ultimately ends up on the seats, floorboards, carpet and trunk.
EPDM from LANXESS under the brand name Keltan plays an important role in meeting the demanding requirements of automotive weather strips. Weather strips made of LANXESS Keltan elastomers has superior water resistance, outdoor weather resistance, ozone resistance and noise sealing properties which are critical to the performance and comfort in a car.
Another important requirement in cars are the radiator coolant hoses which are essential parts of the total cooling system of the car. They help to keep the car cool by carrying the coolant between the engine, radiator and heater. If the hose leaks due to cracks, cuts, stiffness, bulges, excessive softness or abrasions, the coolant doesn’t work sufficiently. This leads to heat build-up in the engine disrupting the normal functioning of the car.
With its superior coolant-resistant properties and ability to withstand high temperature up to 150°C, Keltan EPDM elastomers form the right material for such hoses, enhancing the durability while strengthening it functionally.
New grades of EPDM have also been introduced by LANXESS, which are used in challenging dynamic conditions. EPDM provides an answer for demanding underhood applications posed by small cars. LANXESS recognizes these high pressured performance requirements and offers products suitable for the growing market for small cars in India.
Another very strong proposition from LANXESS Keltan elastomers is Keltan Eco, the world’s first bio-based high-performance rubber. It serves as an excellent sealant material and is manufactured from rubber derived from bio-based ethylene making it eco-friendly.
Keltan Eco or the green EPDM is also used for manufacturing weather stripping, belts and hoses used in cars.
LANXESS Keltan grades are also widely used in several non-automotive applications too like wire & cable, household appliances, tyre and tube, roofing membranes and other miscellaneous rubber articles.
LANXESS, with its brand Keltan, is the only EPDM manufacturer having a true global presence with production facilities in Europe, the US, Brazil and Asia. It ensures that all its products are simultaneously launched across the globe, giving every market the first-hand experience of its quality products.
The Keltan portfolio consists of a wide range of grades with a diversity of properties that offer freedom in recipe formulations, product design and processing windows. This, in turn, allows the product manufacturers to optimize product performance and cost efficiency.
LANXESS is the world’s largest manufacturer of synthetic rubber and one of the key suppliers to automotive and tire industries globally. The business unit, Keltan Elastomers, is part of LANXESS’ Performance Polymers segment and is one of the leading providers of ethylene-propylene elastomers (EPMs and EPDMs).