- Easy-to-fit snow chains made from abrasion-resistant, low temperature TPU
- Chain links are overmolded in the injection-molding process
- Chains are easy to handle and quick to remove
Even at low temperatures plastic can efficiently substitute metal: the French textile and rubber company Joubert Productions, Ambert, is for the first time putting snow chains on the market whose chain links are made entirely from plastic. The snow chains are made from abrasion-resistant Elastollan (TPU) from BASF.
Abrasion resistant, and flexible at low temperatures
The snow chains made from the two Elastollan grades B90A15 and B60A10WH meet the ÖNORM 5117 standard, which applies across Europe, are suitable for different tire sizes, and easy to fit. The material grades are abrasion resistant, flexible at low temperatures, and resistant to loose chippings and road salt. They thus ensure that the snow chains have optimum grip on ice and snow.
Chain links are overmolded in the injection-molding process
The conventional metal chain mesh is replaced by two Elastollan grades. The black Elastollan B90A15 with a harder setting displays very good mechanical properties along with great flexibility at low temperatures. The red Elastollan B60A10WH is more flexible and easy flowing. In compact injection molding, the black chain links are overmolded with the red Elastollan in one mold where they join chemically. As TPU adheres to TPU very well, there is no need for another assembly step as is necessary with metal meshes.
Chains are easy to handle and quick to remove
The Austrian standard ÖNORM 5117 is designed for metallic chain links which cover the full tread of tires and must be in contact with the road surface whatever position the wheel is in. Due to the very good road grip of BASF’s TPU, the snow chains enable car drivers to experience the best possible control over their vehicles on snow-covered roads. As the links are much lighter than the conventional metal mesh, the snow chains are easy to handle and quick to remove.
