描述
Santoprene 103-40 is a hard, black and versatile thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) from Celanese designed for general-purpose applications that require substantially higher hardness and mechanical strength than the softer Santoprene 101-series grades.
Celanese describes this grade as a hard black TPV combining good physical properties with good chemical resistance across a broad range of applications.
The current Celanese Materials Database classifies the material as TPV and lists a Shore D hardness of 41. This is important because the grade should not be described as a Shore A material. Shore D 41 places Santoprene 103-40 in a much firmer elastomeric range than common 60A, 70A or 80A Santoprene grades.
The 103 series belongs to Celanese’s general-purpose Santoprene family. Celanese’s official automotive grade slate places the 101-xx/103-xx grades in the basic molding and/or extrusion group and identifies them as general-purpose grades with the highest level of elastomeric properties in that portion of the portfolio.
Despite its higher hardness, Santoprene 103-40 retains very high elongation. Current Celanese data lists approximately 610% elongation at break, combined with approximately 20.7 MPa stress at break and 9 MPa tensile stress at 100% elongation.
The current tear strength is approximately 64 kN/m, giving this grade a much stronger mechanical profile than softer general-purpose TPV grades.
Celanese also specifically highlights excellent ozone resistance, making the material useful for automotive, under-hood, outdoor and weather-exposed elastomeric parts.
The current brittleness temperature is approximately -52°C, which supports use in cold environments where a hard elastomer still needs to retain useful flexibility.
The grade is polyolefin based and shear dependent. Like other Santoprene TPV materials, its apparent melt viscosity decreases as shear rate increases. This allows Santoprene 103-40 to be processed on conventional thermoplastic equipment when screw speed, gate design, injection rate and extrusion conditions are optimized correctly.
Celanese lists a very broad processing capability for the grade, including injection molding, multi-injection molding, extrusion, profile extrusion, sheet extrusion, coextrusion, blow molding, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, thermoforming and vacuum forming.
This process flexibility is a major advantage over conventional thermoset rubber because no separate vulcanization step is required during normal molding or extrusion.
Current Celanese documentation also states that the material is recyclable within the manufacturing stream, and the current Materials Database lists a maximum regrind level of approximately 20%.
For more TPV products, visit our TPV Thermoplastic Vulcanizates Product Category →.
For Celanese’s current Santoprene portfolio, see the Official Celanese Santoprene TPV Overview →.
Key Features of Santoprene 103-40
| Feature | Engineering Benefit |
|---|---|
| Shore D 41 Hardness | Much firmer response than conventional soft Shore A TPV grades |
| 20.7 MPa Stress at Break | High mechanical strength for a TPV |
| 610% Elongation at Break | Maintains exceptional deformability despite higher hardness |
| 64 kN/m Tear Strength | Strong resistance to edge tearing and mechanical damage |
| Excellent Ozone Resistance | Supports automotive, outdoor and weather-exposed service |
| Good Chemical Resistance | Useful in a broad range of technical environments |
| -52°C Brittleness Temperature | Supports low-temperature applications |
| UL Recognized | Current Celanese documentation references E80017 |
| Detergent Resistance | Current ratings include f3 under UL 749 and f4 under UL 2157 |
| Electrical Insulation Properties | 32 kV/mm short-time electric strength at 2 mm |
| Broad Processing Capability | Injection molding, extrusion, blow molding and forming processes |
| Manufacturing-Stream Recyclability | Supports controlled in-process recycling |
| Shear-Dependent Flow | Improved apparent flow as processing shear increases |
The defining advantage of Santoprene 103-40 is the unusual combination of high hardness, very high elongation and strong tensile / tear performance.
Typical Applications for Santoprene 103-40
Current Celanese grade information identifies Santoprene 103-40 for a broad range of automotive, appliance, electrical, industrial and consumer uses.
| Application Area | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| Automotive Air-Induction Ducts | Flexible but structurally supported duct components |
| Steering Boots & Bellows | Repeated-flex protective automotive parts |
| Suspension Boots & Bellows | Protective components exposed to motion and weather |
| Plugs & Grommets | Firm sealing and protection components |
| Bumpers & Clips | Resilient components requiring higher hardness |
| Automotive Under-Hood Parts | Hard TPV components exposed to heat, vibration and ozone |
| Diaphragms | Flexible components requiring high strength |
| Electrical Parts | Insulating and protective elastomeric components |
| Living Hinges | Repeatedly flexed technical parts |
| Tubing | Technical tubing where higher hardness is required |
| Appliance Components | Durable molded and extruded parts |
| Consumer Applications | Firm flexible housings and technical elastomeric parts |
Compared with softer grades such as Santoprene 101-55 or 101-64, Santoprene 103-40 is especially useful when the design needs a firmer shape, higher tensile strength and significantly higher tear resistance.
Typical Properties of Santoprene 103-40
Physical Properties
| Property | Typical Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 950 kg/m³ / 0.950 g/cm³ | ISO 1183 |
| Shore D Hardness, 15 s | 41 | ISO 48-4 / ISO 868 |
| Resin Identification | TPV | ISO 1043 |
| Part Marking Code | >TPV< | ISO 11469 |
| Color | Black | Manufacturer information |
| Delivery Form | Pellets | Manufacturer information |
The density of approximately 0.95 g/cm³ is relatively low for a hard technical elastomer and can support component weight reduction compared with denser elastomer systems.
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Typical Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Stress at 100% Elongation | 9 MPa | ISO 37 |
| Stress at Break | 20.7 MPa | ISO 527-1/-2 or ISO 37 |
| Elongation at Break | 610% | ISO 527-1/-2 or ISO 37 |
| Tear Strength | 64 kN/m | ISO 34-1 |
| Compression Set, 70°C / 24 h | 54% | ISO 815 |
| Compression Set, 125°C / 70 h | 61% | ISO 815 |
| Brittleness Temperature | -52°C | ASTM D746 |
The most striking feature of Santoprene 103-40 is that its high Shore D hardness is combined with 610% elongation at break. This allows the grade to behave as a hard elastomer rather than a conventional rigid plastic.
Thermal Properties
| Property | Typical Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| RTI Electrical, 1.5 mm | 85°C | UL 746B |
| RTI Electrical, 3.0 mm | 85°C | UL 746B |
| RTI Strength, 1.5 mm | 85°C | UL 746B |
| RTI Strength, 3.0 mm | 85°C | UL 746B |
These values provide useful context for continuous electrical and mechanical service under UL thermal-aging evaluation.
Electrical Properties
| Property | Typical Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Permittivity @ 60 Hz | 2.6 | IEC 62631-2-1 |
| Electric Strength, Short Time, 2 mm | 32 kV/mm | ASTM D149 |
| Arc Resistance Performance Level | PLC 5 | UL 746B |
| High-Amperage Arc Ignition, 1.5 mm | PLC 0 | UL 746A |
These properties support use of Santoprene 103-40 in electrical and protective technical components where a hard insulating elastomer is required.
Flammability & Specific Application Suitability
| Property | Typical Value / Rating | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Burning Behavior @ 1.5 mm | HB | IEC 60695-11-10 |
| Burning Behavior @ 1.0 mm | HB | IEC 60695-11-10 |
| UL Recognition | Yes | UL 94 |
| Burning Rate @ 2 mm | 28.9 mm/min | ISO 3795 / FMVSS 302 |
| Hot Wire Ignition @ 1.5 mm | PLC 3 | UL 746A |
| Hot Wire Ignition @ 3.0 mm | PLC 2 | UL 746A |
| Detergent Resistance | f3 | UL 749 |
| Detergent Resistance | f4 | UL 2157 |
The grade is not positioned as a flame-retardant TPV. Its principal strengths are hardness, mechanical performance, ozone resistance and processing flexibility.
Why Choose Santoprene 103-40?
The main reason to choose Santoprene 103-40 is that it fills the space between soft elastomers and rigid thermoplastics.
Many TPV grades are selected for soft sealing or cushioning. Those grades commonly use Shore A hardness values.
Santoprene 103-40, by contrast, is rated at Shore D 41 and provides much greater firmness.
That higher hardness is paired with approximately 20.7 MPa stress at break and 64 kN/m tear strength, making it suitable for components that experience higher mechanical loads.
At the same time, the material maintains approximately 610% elongation at break.
This means it can deform substantially without behaving like a brittle engineering plastic.
Excellent ozone resistance further expands its usefulness in under-hood, outdoor and weather-exposed service.
The grade’s electrical strength of approximately 32 kV/mm at 2 mm also makes it relevant to electrical protection and insulation applications.
Thermoplastic processing is another important advantage. Santoprene 103-40 can be injection molded, extruded, blow molded, thermoformed or vacuum formed using conventional thermoplastic equipment.
For customers who need a hard black TPV with high tensile strength, high tear strength, very high elongation and broad processability, Santoprene 103-40 is a distinctive option within the Santoprene portfolio.
Processing Guidelines for Santoprene 103-40
Santoprene 103-40 supports:
- Injection molding
- Multi-injection molding
- Extrusion
- Profile extrusion
- Sheet extrusion
- Coextrusion
- Blow molding
- Extrusion blow molding
- Injection blow molding
- Thermoforming
- Vacuum forming
Current Celanese Processing Data
| Processing Parameter | Published Guidance |
|---|---|
| Maximum Regrind Level | 20% |
| Injection Back Pressure | 0.517 MPa |
| Ejection Temperature | 95°C |
| Extrusion Drying Temperature | 82°C |
| Extrusion Drying Time | 3 hours in dehumidified dryer |
| Extrusion Melt Temperature | 210°C |
| General Santoprene TPV Processing Window | 175–230°C |
Celanese recommends desiccant drying for approximately 3 hours at 80–82°C.
Current processing notes also state that Santoprene TPV is incompatible with acetal (POM) and PVC.
Grade-Specific Injection Reference
Earlier Celanese Materials Database versions published more detailed injection starting conditions for Santoprene 103-40:
| Injection Parameter | Historical Celanese Grade Reference |
|---|---|
| Drying Temperature | 82°C |
| Drying Time | 3 h |
| Maximum Residual Moisture | 0.08% |
| Rear Barrel | 193°C |
| Middle Barrel | 199°C |
| Front Barrel | 204°C |
| Nozzle | 210–238°C |
| Melt Temperature | 216–232°C |
| Mold Temperature | 10–52°C |
| Screw Speed | 100–200 rpm |
| Back Pressure | 0.345–0.689 MPa |
| Injection Speed | Fast |
| Vent Depth | 0.025 mm |
These older grade-specific values are useful as processing references, while the current Celanese Materials Database should remain the primary source when setting final production conditions.
Shear-Dependent Flow Behavior
Santoprene 103-40 is shear dependent.
As shear rate increases, apparent melt viscosity decreases. Therefore, flow behavior depends strongly on:
- Screw speed
- Injection speed
- Gate geometry
- Back pressure
- Melt temperature
- Die geometry
- Wall thickness
- Venting
Increasing processing temperature is not always the most effective way to improve flow. Optimizing shear conditions can be equally important.
Material Changeover
Santoprene TPV is incompatible with POM and PVC.
When changing from those polymers to Santoprene 103-40, the barrel, screw, hot runner, nozzle and extrusion line should be thoroughly purged.
Santoprene 103-40 vs. Santoprene 101-73
| Feature | Santoprene 103-40 | Santoprene 101-73 |
|---|---|---|
| Material Family | TPV | TPV |
| Color | Black | Black |
| Product Positioning | Hard general-purpose TPV | General-purpose TPV |
| Hardness Scale | Shore D | Shore A |
| Hardness | 41D | Approx. 78A |
| Elongation at Break | 610% | Approx. 478% |
| Stress at Break | 20.7 MPa | Approx. 7.98 MPa |
| Tensile Stress @ 100% | 9 MPa | Approx. 3.44 MPa |
| Tear Strength | 64 kN/m | Approx. 25 kN/m |
| Brittleness Temperature | -52°C | Approx. -60°C |
| Main Selection Difference | Much harder and mechanically stronger | Softer, more compliant elastomeric behavior |
The hardness scales are different, so 41D and 78A should not be treated as numerically equivalent.
Choose Santoprene 103-40 when the application needs a hard TPV with substantially higher tensile and tear strength.
Choose Santoprene 101-73 when greater softness and compliance are more important.
Related Products
Santoprene 101-73 – Black general-purpose Shore A 78 TPV for flexible seals, boots and molded components.
Santoprene 101-80 – Black general-purpose higher-hardness Shore A TPV for firmer elastomeric applications.
Santoprene 103 Series – Hard black general-purpose TPV family for applications requiring higher hardness and mechanical performance.
View More TPV Thermoplastic Vulcanizates →
Technical Documents for Santoprene 103-40
| Document Type | Description |
|---|---|
| TDS | Current Celanese physical, mechanical, thermal, electrical and processing data |
| SDS | Safety Data Sheet |
| UL Information | QMFZ2.E80017 / QMFZ8.E80017 recognition |
| Santoprene Product Finder / Grade Slate | Celanese family positioning and grade comparison |
| Processing Information | Injection molding and extrusion guidance |
| COA | Batch-specific quality information where available |
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FAQ About Santoprene 103-40
Q1: What is Santoprene 103-40?
Santoprene 103-40 is a hard black general-purpose TPV from Celanese. It combines high hardness and mechanical strength with high elongation and conventional thermoplastic processing.
Q2: What is the hardness of Santoprene 103-40?
The current Celanese value is approximately Shore D 41.
Q3: Is Santoprene 103-40 a Shore A grade?
No. Current Celanese documentation specifies Shore D 41. It should not be described as a Shore A 40 material.
Q4: What is the tensile stress at break?
Current Celanese data lists approximately 20.7 MPa.
Q5: What is the elongation at break?
Current grade data lists approximately 610%.
Q6: What is the tear strength?
The current tear strength is approximately 64 kN/m.
Q7: How does Santoprene 103-40 perform at low temperature?
The current brittleness temperature is approximately -52°C.
Q8: What applications are recommended?
Celanese identifies automotive air-induction ducts, steering and suspension boots, bellows, plugs, bumpers, grommets and clips, as well as appliance components, diaphragms, electrical parts, living hinges and tubing.
Q9: Can Santoprene 103-40 be injection molded and extruded?
Yes. The grade supports injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming and vacuum forming, along with several related processes.
Q10: What is the difference between Santoprene 103-40 and 101-73?
Santoprene 103-40 is a much harder Shore D 41 grade with substantially higher tensile and tear strength, while 101-73 is a softer Shore A 78 general-purpose TPV.
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- Tensile and tear-strength requirements
- Minimum service temperature
- Chemical exposure
- Outdoor / ozone exposure
- Electrical insulation requirements
- Injection molding, extrusion, blow molding or thermoforming process
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