This is achieved by molding a soft skin of thermoplastic elastomer over a hard engineering plastic. Hard and soft combinations are also used for ergonomic considerations, for example hand-held electronics such as cell phones have used hard and soft combinations to give a soft touch feel to their product and to differentiate their products with their competition. We have modified ASTM D903 method for plastics to evaluate the adhesion of soft TPE onto rigid thermoplastic.

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are a type of plastic that have been refined to create a soft, rubbery feel—and they’re everywhere. Anything you touch that feels like a soft plastic or has a rubbery surface can be made from TPEs—everything from a gearshift knob in your car and the handles on your power tools to medical tubing and syringe stoppers. what kind of properties you need (e.g., stretchy, hard or soft, color)

ABSTRACT Overmolding thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) on rigid substrates for consumer applications has been driven by the escalating market trends in enhanced ergonomic feel and touch, grip ability, aesthetics, cushioning against impact, vibration isolation and insulation. This hard/soft combination design has been driven by an escalating market trend pushing toward enhanced ergonomic feel and touch, gripping feel, aesthetics, cushioning against impact, vibration isolation or dampening and insulation. Over the years, many rigid thermoplastics have been utilized with this hard/soft design in order for specific performance and additional value.

Discover advanced material solutions so you can solve tough challenges and leave the competition in your wake. 1.844.4AVIENT avient.com © 2025, All Rights Reserved Avient Corporation, 33587 Walker Road, Avon Lake, Ohio USA 44012 TACTILE EXPERIENCE Soft Touch Feel, Wet Grip, Durable Performance, Reduced Heat Transfer SOLUTION: Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs), UV Blocking Additives, “Cooler to the Touch” Colorants METAL REPLACEMENT High Impact Resistance, Durability, Vibration Damping Properties, Weight Reduction, Design Flexibility SOLUTION: Long Glass Fiber Reinforced Composites, Chemical Foaming Agents WOOD REPLACEMENT & WEIGHT REDUCTION Exceptional Strength-to-Weight Ratio, Resistance to Chemicals and Moisture Degradation, Strong Adhesive Properties for Simplified Installation SOLUTION: Composite Sandwich Panels, Chemical Foaming Agents, Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) Technology, Continuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Tape & Laminates, Pultruded Composite Profiles HIGH IMPACT DURABILITY High Strength Performance, Localized Reinforcement, Material Reduction SOLUTION: Continuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Tape & Laminates CORROSION & MOISTURE RESISTANCE Extended Performance, Low Moisture Uptake, Durability SOLUTION: Moisture-Resistant Long Fiber Reinforced Composites, Corrosion Resistant Additives, Composite Sandwich Panels AESTHETIC APPEAL Custom Color and Special Effects, Paint Replacement, Color Fade Protection SOLUTION: Custom Polymer Colorants, UV Blocking Additives, Antioxidant Additives, Molded-In-Color Metallics, Scratch & Mar Additives, Laser Marking Additives, Pre-Colored High-Gloss Thermoplastics http://www.avient.com https://www.avient.com/products/thermoplastic-elastomers/versaflex-thermoplastic-elastomers https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/uv-and-light-blocking-additives/cesa-light-additives https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/uv-and-light-blocking-additives/oncolor-wpc-capstock-technology https://www.avient.com/products/long-fiber-technology/complet-long-glass-fiber https://www.avient.com/products/long-fiber-technology/complet-long-glass-fiber https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/foaming-agents https://www.avient.com/products/advanced-composites/continuous-fiber-composite-panels/hammerhead-marine-composite-panels https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/foaming-agents https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/uv-and-light-blocking-additives/oncolor-wpc-capstock-technology https://www.avient.com/products/advanced-composites/continuous-fiber-composite-tape-laminates-and-barstock/polystrand-continuous-fiber-tapes-laminates https://www.avient.com/products/advanced-composites/continuous-fiber-composite-tape-laminates-and-barstock/polystrand-continuous-fiber-tapes-laminates https://www.avient.com/products/advanced-composites/pultrusion-and-continuous-filament-winding-technology/glasforms-pultruded-rods-tubes-custom-profiles https://www.avient.com/products/advanced-composites/continuous-fiber-composite-tape-laminates-and-barstock/polystrand-continuous-fiber-tapes-laminates https://www.avient.com/products/advanced-composites/continuous-fiber-composite-tape-laminates-and-barstock/polystrand-continuous-fiber-tapes-laminates https://www.avient.com/products/advanced-composites/continuous-fiber-composite-tape-laminates-and-barstock/polystrand-continuous-fiber-tapes-laminates https://www.avient.com/products/long-fiber-technology/complet-moisture-resistant-nylons https://www.avient.com/products/long-fiber-technology/complet-moisture-resistant-nylons https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/corrosion-resistant-additives/cesa-cor-additives https://www.avient.com/products/advanced-composites/continuous-fiber-composite-panels/hammerhead-marine-composite-panels https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-colorants/solid-color-masterbatches/oncolor-fx-special-effect-colorants https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-colorants/solid-color-masterbatches/oncolor-fx-special-effect-colorants https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/uv-and-light-blocking-additives/cesa-light-additives https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/antioxidant-additives https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-colorants/color-additive-combination-masterbatches/smartbatch-fx-paint-replacement-0 https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/visual-enhancement-effects/cesa-scratch-mar-resistance-additives https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/colorants-and-additives-wire-cable/cesa-laser-additives https://www.avient.com/products/engineered-polymer-formulations/general-engineered-formulations/artisan-pre-colored-thermoplastics-premium-finishes https://www.avient.com/products/engineered-polymer-formulations/general-engineered-formulations/artisan-pre-colored-thermoplastics-premium-finishes

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are a type of plastic that have been refined to create a soft, rubbery feel—and they’re everywhere. Anything you touch that feels like a soft plastic or has a rubbery surface can be made from TPEs—everything from a gearshift knob in your car and the handles on your power tools to medical tubing and syringe stoppers. what kind of properties you need (e.g., stretchy, hard or soft, color)

Applying soft-touch materials strategically using overmolding can help reduce required grip strength and contact pressure. A cut-out view shows the hard plastic substrate and the overmolded soft-touch TPE. All three designs featured an overmolded soft-touch TPE to add security to the grip and reduce the impact force felt by the hand.

Shades can be adapted to specific color targets and combined with performance enhancing additives such as light stabilizers, antioxidants, anti-microbials, electret, optical brighteners, hydrophobic, flame retardant, and soft touch.

For more on material solutions for snowmobiles, visit avient.com © 2025, All Rights Reserved Avient Corporation, 33587 Walker Road, Avon Lake, Ohio USA 44012 EXTENDED PERFORMANCE Minimize Moisture Uptake from Melted Snow SOLUTION: Moisture-Resistant Long Fiber Reinforced Composites, Corrosion-Resistant Additives TACTILE EXPERIENCE Soft Touch Feel, Durable Performance, Lower Thermal Conductivity than Metals SOLUTION: Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs), Long Fiber Reinforced Composites THERMAL MANAGEMENT & SAFETY Heat Dissipation, Design Flexibility, Flame Retardancy SOLUTION: Thermally Conductive Formulations, Flame Retardant Additives HIGH IMPACT DURABILITY High Strength-To-Weight Ratio, Elevated and Low Temperature Performance SOLUTION: Long Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites, Continuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Tape & Laminates COLD TEMPERATURE PERFORMANCE Cold Temperature Flexibility and Toughness SOLUTION: Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs), Long Fiber Reinforced Composites, Impact Modifiers WEIGHT REDUCTION 40–50% Lightweighting Compared to Metal, Exceptional Structural Properties, Extremely High Stiffness and Strength from -40° to 160°F SOLUTION: Long Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites, Chemical Foaming Agents AESTHETIC APPEAL Custom Color and Special Effects, Paint Replacement, Color Fade Protection SOLUTION: Custom Polymer Colorants, UV Blocking Additives, Antioxidant Additives, Molded-In-Color Metallics, Scratch and Mar Performance, Laser Marking, Pre-Colored High-Gloss Thermoplastics https://www.avient.com/industries/consumer/consumer-discretionary/outdoor-recreation/powersports https://www.avient.com/products/long-fiber-technology/complet-moisture-resistant-nylons https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/corrosion-resistant-additives/cesa-cor-additives https://www.avient.com/products/thermoplastic-elastomers/versaflex-thermoplastic-elastomers https://www.avient.com/products/long-fiber-technology https://www.avient.com/products/engineered-polymer-formulations/conductive-signal-radiation-shielding-formulations/therma-tech-thermally-conductive-formulations https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/colorants-and-additives-wire-cable/cesa-flame-retardant-additives https://www.avient.com/products/long-fiber-technology/complet-long-carbon-fiber https://www.avient.com/products/advanced-composites/continuous-fiber-composite-tape-laminates-and-barstock/polystrand-continuous-fiber-tapes-laminates https://www.avient.com/products/thermoplastic-elastomers/onflex-thermoplastic-elastomers https://www.avient.com/products/long-fiber-technology https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-colorants/color-additive-combination-masterbatches/smartbatch-combination-colorants-additives https://www.avient.com/products/long-fiber-technology/complet-long-carbon-fiber https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/foaming-agents https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-colorants/solid-color-masterbatches/oncolor-fx-special-effect-colorants https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/uv-and-light-blocking-additives/cesa-light-additives https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/antioxidant-additives https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-colorants/color-additive-combination-masterbatches/smartbatch-fx-paint-replacement-0 https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/visual-enhancement-effects/cesa-scratch-mar-resistance-additives https://www.avient.com/products/polymer-additives/colorants-and-additives-wire-cable/cesa-laser-additives https://www.avient.com/products/engineered-polymer-formulations/general-engineered-formulations/artisan-pre-colored-thermoplastics-premium-finishes

HOW4D DESIGN PROCESS USE OUR 4D PROCESS TO ACCELERATE NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALTY PORTFOLIO We combine design services with Avient’s materials portfolio to bring an unbiased, expert point of view to your design1 Color & Additives Engineered Materials Composites Soft Touch Distribution Rely on our technical expertise to validate that designs are manufacturable and materials will perform as intended once formed MANUFACTURING4 FEA/Moldflow/Mechanical Simulation Design Optimization Design for Manufacturing Processing Expertise Supply Chain Development Visualize color, material and finish options using our exclusive tools and expertise3 COLOR, MATERIAL & FINISH (CMF) DESIGN Color & Effects Texture/Finish Application Development Material Specification 2 INDUSTRIAL DESIGN From ergonomics and concept sketches to 3D models and photo rendering, you can count on our world-class studio to help you innovate Ethnography Brand Language Development Ergonomics & Usability Concept Sketching 3D Modeling 3D Prototypes Photo Renderings WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Add a touch of luxury to your packaging closures with density-modified polymer compounds. Enhance your product’s appearance and feel with soft-to-the-touch elastomers