描述
Santoprene 201-55W255 is a soft, natural-color and colorable thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) from Celanese developed for residential washing machine and dishwasher applications.
Its main technical distinction is not simply its Shore hardness. The grade combines detergent resistance with a stabilization system designed to protect the material against copper and other metal-catalyzed degradation.
Celanese specifically identifies property retention in the presence of typical dishwasher and washing-machine detergents as a key feature of Santoprene 201-55W255.
This makes the grade particularly relevant for seals, gaskets and flexible appliance components that operate in repeated wash cycles and may be located close to metal fittings, clamps, springs, housings or copper-containing components.
The material is part of the Santoprene TPV family. TPV technology combines a thermoplastic continuous phase with a dynamically vulcanized elastomer phase, providing rubber-like flexibility together with thermoplastic processing.
Because Santoprene 201-55W255 is thermoplastic, it can be processed on conventional injection-molding and extrusion equipment. Celanese also lists coextrusion, multi-injection molding, profile extrusion and sheet extrusion for this grade.
The material has a Shore A hardness of approximately 60, providing a useful balance between softness and mechanical support.
Current Celanese Materials Database data lists approximately 450% elongation at break, 5.1 MPa stress at break and 1.9 MPa stress at 100% elongation.
This combination gives Santoprene 201-55W255 substantial flexibility while maintaining enough tensile strength for appliance seals and gaskets.
Compression-set behavior is also documented across several temperatures. Current grade data lists approximately 16% at 23°C for 24 hours, 35% at 70°C for 24 hours and 42% at 100°C for 24 hours.
Historical grade data also lists approximately 47% compression set after 300 hours at 100°C, providing additional context for prolonged high-temperature compression.
The density is approximately 0.960 g/cm³, which is typical of a polyolefin-based TPV and helps keep molded and extruded parts relatively lightweight.
Unlike the black 101-W255 grades, Santoprene 201-55W255 is supplied in natural color and is colorable. This is important when appliance manufacturers require custom colors, lighter shades or brand-specific appearance.
The grade is shear dependent. As shear rate increases, its apparent melt viscosity decreases. This behavior is important when optimizing screw speed, gate design, injection speed and extrusion conditions.
Celanese states that Santoprene TPV has a broad processing window and can be used on conventional thermoplastic machinery.
For more TPV products, visit our TPV Thermoplastic Vulcanizates Product Category →.
For the current Celanese TPV portfolio, see the Official Celanese Santoprene & Geolast Product Finder →.
Key Features of Santoprene 201-55W255
| Feature | Engineering Benefit |
|---|---|
| Shore A 60 | Soft elastomeric response for seals and gaskets |
| Natural Color / Colorable | Suitable for custom-colored appliance components |
| Detergent Resistance | Designed for dishwasher and washing-machine detergent environments |
| Copper / Metal Stabilization | Helps protect against metal-catalyzed degradation |
| 450% Elongation at Break | Supports large deformation and flexible sealing geometries |
| 5.1 MPa Stress at Break | Provides useful mechanical strength for a soft TPV |
| Low Compression Set | Helps seals recover after prolonged compression |
| Polyolefin-Based TPV | Low density and practical thermoplastic processing |
| Injection Molding | Suitable for molded seals, gaskets and appliance parts |
| Extrusion / Profile Extrusion | Suitable for continuous sealing profiles |
| Coextrusion | Useful for multi-material appliance profiles |
| Manufacturing-Stream Recyclability | Controlled process scrap can be recyclable within the manufacturing stream |
The most important value of Santoprene 201-55W255 is the combination of detergent resistance, metal-catalyzed degradation protection and colorability.
Typical Applications for Santoprene 201-55W255
Celanese specifically positions Santoprene 201-55W255 for residential washing-machine and dishwasher applications.
| Application Area | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| Dishwasher Seals | Flexible seals exposed to hot water and detergent solutions |
| Dishwasher Gaskets | Compressible sealing components around doors and fluid paths |
| Washing Machine Seals | Flexible seals exposed to repeated detergent cycles |
| Washer Gaskets | Sealing components around housings and fluid interfaces |
| Appliance Components | Soft and flexible molded technical parts |
| Metal-Contact Seals | Components located close to copper or other metal hardware |
| Color-Matched Gaskets | Natural grade for custom-colored appliance designs |
| Coextruded Profiles | Soft TPV sealing sections combined with compatible substrates |
| Injection-Molded Seals | Complex sealing geometries for high-volume production |
| Extruded Profiles | Continuous appliance sealing sections |
The strongest application fit is where the component experiences detergent exposure and potential metal-catalyzed degradation while also requiring a natural or custom-colored appearance.
Typical Properties of Santoprene 201-55W255
Physical Properties
| Property | Typical Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 960 kg/m³ / 0.960 g/cm³ | ISO 1183 |
| Specific Gravity | 0.960 | ASTM D792 |
| Shore A Hardness, 15 s | 60 | ISO 48-4 / ISO 868 |
| Color | Natural | Manufacturer information |
| Colorability | Yes | Manufacturer positioning |
| Product Form | Pellets | Manufacturer information |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Typical Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Stress at 100% Elongation | 1.9 MPa | ISO 527-1/-2 or ISO 37 |
| Stress at Break | 5.1 MPa | ISO 527-1/-2 or ISO 37 |
| Elongation at Break | 450% | ISO 527-1/-2 or ISO 37 |
| Shore A Hardness | 60 | ISO 48-4 / ISO 868 |
These values show that Santoprene 201-55W255 is a soft and highly extensible TPV designed for flexible sealing rather than rigid structural use.
Compression Set
| Condition | Typical Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| 23°C / 24 h | 16% | ISO 815 |
| 70°C / 24 h | 35% | ISO 815 |
| 100°C / 24 h | 42% | ISO 815 |
| 100°C / 300 h | 47% | Historical grade data / ISO 815 |
Compression set is especially important for appliance seals because a gasket must continue to exert sealing pressure after remaining compressed for long periods.
Detergent and Metal-Stability Performance
Celanese highlights two grade-specific performance areas for Santoprene 201-55W255.
Detergent Resistance
The material is designed to retain properties in the presence of typical dishwasher and washing-machine detergents. This is a central reason to select the W255 grade rather than a standard general-purpose TPV.
Protection Against Metal-Catalyzed Degradation
The formulation contains a stabilization system intended to protect against degradation catalyzed by copper and other metals in appliance assemblies.
Why Choose Santoprene 201-55W255?
The main reason to choose Santoprene 201-55W255 is that it combines several features that are difficult to obtain from a generic soft TPV.
First, the grade is specifically designed around the chemical environment of household washing equipment. Dishwasher and washing-machine detergents can contain surfactants, builders, alkalinity agents and other chemicals that may affect elastomer performance over time.
Celanese therefore positions Santoprene 201-55W255 around property retention in these detergent environments.
Second, the grade includes stabilization against copper and other metal-catalyzed degradation.
Third, the natural color gives the grade an appearance advantage over black W255 materials. Manufacturers can use the natural base when custom color is required for visible appliance parts or when a black gasket is undesirable.
Fourth, the Shore A 60 hardness provides a useful medium-soft feel. The material is soft enough to conform to sealing surfaces, but firm enough to maintain shape in many gasket and profile geometries.
The 450% elongation at break provides high flexibility, while the 5.1 MPa stress at break gives the material useful mechanical durability.
Finally, thermoplastic processing enables high-volume manufacturing using injection molding, profile extrusion and coextrusion without the separate vulcanization step required by conventional thermoset rubber.
For customers needing a natural, colorable 60A TPV specifically engineered for detergent exposure and metal-contact stability, Santoprene 201-55W255 is a highly targeted option.
Processing Guidelines for Santoprene 201-55W255
Santoprene 201-55W255 can be processed by:
- Injection molding
- Multi-injection molding
- Extrusion
- Profile extrusion
- Sheet extrusion
- Coextrusion
Celanese Processing Guidance
| Processing Parameter | Published Guidance |
|---|---|
| Drying Temperature | 80°C |
| Drying Time | 3 hours |
| Recommended Dryer Type | Desiccant / dehumidified dryer |
| General Processing Temperature Window | 175–230°C |
| Material Compatibility | Incompatible with POM and PVC |
Celanese recommends drying Santoprene 201-55W255 for approximately 3 hours at 80°C before processing.
The broad Santoprene TPV processing window is approximately 175–230°C.
Actual machine settings should be optimized for part geometry, wall thickness, gate design, screw diameter, injection speed, extrusion die design, surface appearance, cooling time and dimensional requirements.
Shear-Dependent Flow Behavior
Santoprene 201-55W255 is shear dependent. As shear rate increases, apparent viscosity decreases. This means flow can often be improved by optimizing shear conditions rather than relying only on higher melt temperature.
Material Changeover
Celanese states that Santoprene TPV is incompatible with acetal (POM) and PVC. When changing materials, processors should thoroughly purge the barrel, screw, hot runner and extrusion system to prevent contamination.
Related Products
Santoprene 101-45W255 – Black, softer detergent-resistant TPV with metal-catalyzed degradation stabilization.
Santoprene 101-55W255 – Black detergent-resistant TPV with a similar hardness range and metal-stabilization concept.
Santoprene 201-55 – Natural-color general-purpose TPV for flexible molding and extrusion applications where the specialized W255 stabilization package is not required.
View More TPV Thermoplastic Vulcanizates →
Technical Documents for Santoprene 201-55W255
| Document Type | Description |
|---|---|
| TDS | Current Celanese physical, mechanical and processing data |
| SDS | Safety Data Sheet |
| Santoprene Product Finder | Celanese grade-selection and application overview |
| Processing Guide | Injection-molding and extrusion guidance |
| COA | Batch-specific quality information where available |
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FAQ About Santoprene 201-55W255
Q1: What is Santoprene 201-55W255?
Santoprene 201-55W255 is a soft, natural-color, colorable TPV from Celanese designed for residential washing-machine and dishwasher applications.
Q2: What is the hardness of Santoprene 201-55W255?
The current Celanese value is approximately Shore A 60.
Q3: Is Santoprene 201-55W255 detergent resistant?
Yes. Celanese specifically identifies property retention in typical dishwasher and washing-machine detergents as a key feature.
Q4: Why is Santoprene 201-55W255 stabilized against copper?
Copper and certain other metals can catalyze polymer degradation. The grade contains a stabilization system designed to improve resistance to this mechanism.
Q5: What is the elongation at break?
Current Celanese data lists approximately 450% elongation at break.
Q6: What is the tensile stress at break?
The current stress at break is approximately 5.1 MPa, with approximately 1.9 MPa stress at 100% elongation.
Q7: What is the density?
The current density is approximately 0.960 g/cm³.
Q8: Is Santoprene 201-55W255 colorable?
Yes. Santoprene 201-55W255 is supplied in natural color and is positioned as a colorable material.
Q9: Can Santoprene 201-55W255 be injection molded and extruded?
Yes. Celanese lists injection molding, multi-injection molding, extrusion, profile extrusion, sheet extrusion and coextrusion.
Q10: What processing temperature is recommended?
Celanese gives Santoprene TPV a broad processing window of approximately 175–230°C and recommends drying this grade at approximately 80°C for 3 hours.
Request Santoprene 201-55W255 Price & Technical Support
For pricing, availability, technical documents or application support for Santoprene 201-55W255, please provide:
- Required quantity
- Destination country or port
- Washing-machine, dishwasher or other appliance application
- Seal, gasket, profile or molded-part design
- Required Shore hardness
- Required color
- Detergent type and concentration
- Water and service temperature
- Contact with copper or other metals
- Injection-molding or extrusion process
- Part dimensions
- TDS, SDS or COA requirement
- Sample requirement, if applicable
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