TPE makes waves in surfing gear innovation

A perfect day for surfers consists of warm sunshine, calm water, and an off-shore breeze. Surfing is an incredible experience, so it's no surprise that it's so popular. However, any surfer will tell you that choosing the right board is crucial. Over the years, the materials used in board sports equipment have evolved significantly, from solid wood to more lightweight materials like fiberglass and polyurethane. Newer designs have made it easier to manoeuver the board and barrel the waves.

Engineering plastics such as thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), which have a variety of properties that make it ideal for use in sports and leisure equipment, have been introduced as a result of changes in board construction. TPE is a great choice for beginners to advanced riders looking for the perfect board weight. It creates surfboards that are durable, flexible, and meet other design criteria for a board that fits any riding style.

KRAIBURG TPE, a global TPE manufacturer of a wide range of TPE products and custom solutions for multiple industries, caters to the surfing equipment industry with a wide range of TPE products and custom solutions.

TPE is available in a variety of hardnesses and mechanical properties such as abrasion, scratch, and sebum resistance, as well as a soft velvety surface, giving designers a wide range of choices for their applications. TPE is typically used in surfing equipment applications such as surfboard pads, fins, ear plugs, coiled surf leashes, foot rings, paddle handles, and others.

Oil-resistance for better grip

KRABURG TPE's AD/PAX/CR series is resistant to skin oils, sunscreen, and olive oils, making it ideal for surfboard applications as well as leashes, foot rings, paddle handles, sealing, and other sports equipment parts.

The compound is a solution for 2-component seals with good adhesion to polyamides such as PA12, PA6 and PA6.6, partially aromatic polyamides (PAX), and polyarylamides (PARA) via the injection moulding process.

Velvety like the sea surface

The VS/AD/HM series provides smooth riding without the hiccups of scratches or grease. The compound series is the answer to velvety surfaces and the need for wear resistance. Surfboard pad, fin, earplug, GPS waterproof cover, and other parts are viable applications for this series. Furthermore, abrasion and scratch resistance, as well as resistance to skin oils, sunscreen, and olive oil, are important properties for surfing equipment that must withstand harsh extreme environmental conditions and substances such as sea water.

The series has good adhesion with PC, ABS, PC/ABS, ASA, SAN and polyamides like PA6 and PA12.

Vibrant colors, safe

Both series are available in a wide range of vibrant colors.  The consistent colorability contributes to the improved appearance of TPE-rendered end products. These TPE compounds are also recyclable and free of latex, PVC, phthalates, and heavy metals. The flexibility and versatility of the compounds allow ergonomic and complex designs especially in board sports equipment.