News - Si-TPV Comfortable Overmolding Material for Bus Straps and Coated Webbing

https://www.si-tpv.com/si-tpv-overmolding-of-tool-handles-redefines-ergonomics-boosting-safety-and-comfort-product/

What Are The Common Problems And Performance Shortcomings Of Bus Overhead Straps & Handrail Overmolding Materials?

Traditional overmolding materials such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), Thermoplastic Vulcanizate(TPV), and thermoplastic rubber (TPR) exhibit a susceptibility to aging and the development of surface tackiness.
Additionally, frequent hand contact promotes bacterial adhesion and microbial proliferation on the surfaces of these materials. Furthermore, continuous friction and external forces can lead to the delamination of the overmolding layer. These challenges significantly undermine passenger safety and operational efficiency, rendering conventional materials inadequate for the demands of modern bus systems in terms of durability, hygiene, and comfort.

Why Traditional Overmolding Materials Fall Short in Bus Handrail and Grab Handle?

Traditional overmolding materials used to have weak oxidation resistance and high surface energy. Their hydrophilic surfaces lack stain resistance and antibacterial properties and will easily adsorb bodily fluids and microorganisms. Furthermore, to achieve a soft tactile sensation, traditional overmolding materials will incorporate excessive plasticizers, which are highly prone to migrate out and cause stickiness. These problems will readily lead to:

Tactile Degradation: During later usage stages, the surface layer will peel off, and the overmolding material surface will develop a dry/rough or sticky/greasy feel, resulting in a poor trip experience.

Poor Wear Resistance: Due to the excessively high friction coefficient of traditional overmolding materials and prolonged use, texture wear will accelerate. This will cause the overmolding surface to become increasingly smooth. Safety hazards will easily occur when passengers have sweaty or wet hands while taking the bus.

Plasticizer Migration: Phthalate-based additives will migrate to the surface, affecting passenger health, causing allergies, and endocrine disruption.

Bacterial Proliferation: The high surface energy will cause hydrophilic surfaces to easily adsorb bodily fluids and microorganisms. Lacking stain resistance and antibacterial properties will present potential health and hygiene risks.

Si-TPV， Vulcanizate Thermoplastic Silicone-Based Elastomer, is thoroughly vulcanized silicone rubber dispersed in the TPU matrix through special dynamic vulcanization technology, accurately solving the pain points of the industry!

Key Benefits of Si-TPV for Bus Overhead Strap, Handle Grips Applications:

1. Long-lasting skin feel: The raised silicone rubber particles on the surface provide a long-lasting and stable skin-friendly touch, and can be long-lasting and smooth without the need for additional surface treatment.

2. Super-wear resistance: The vulcanized silicone rubber particles are evenly dispersed on the surface of TPU and form a super wear-resistant cross-linked structure, which is super durable for long-term holding.

3. Antibacterial, stain-resistant, and easy to clean: Non-Sticky Elastomer has a large water contact angle (99°-115°), low surface energy, and good hydrophobicity, which make it resistant to adhering to bacteria and stains, and can be easily cleaned with alcohol.

4. Environmentally friendly and healthy: no plasticizer, low VOCs.

5. Simple process: Suitable for multiple molding solutions such as injection molding and extrusion with high rebound. Silicone-Based Elastomer is a non-phthalate thermoplastic elastomer that exhibits excellent fluidity, good soft overmolding performance, and a strong bonding effect with polypropylene (PP), PC/ABS, making it less prone to forming flash.

6. Green carbon reduction: Silicon-based materials, a greener alternative to carbon-based plastics(PVC, TPU...), 100% recyclable.

Innovations in Thermoplastic Elastomer: Advancing the mission of green through Durable, Soft-Touch Technology

SILIKE, your thermoplastic vulcanizate manufacturer, offers sustainable soft skin-friendly comfort elastomeric materials– Si-TPV. This innovative silicone TPV for overmolding material empowers bus and transit equipment manufacturers to fulfill the modern requirements for comfort, safety, and environmental responsibility.

Green, environmentally friendly, recyclable,
Maintains stable touch in an environment of -20℃ to 45℃.

Under humid conditions, the grip will be better than traditional overmolding materials.

99.9% of surface germs can be removed just by wiping with alcohol.

Si-TPV, this innovative plasticizer-free overmolding solution combines the advantages of thermoplastic elastomers and silicone, has excellent touch and durability, and is very suitable for overmolding, soft touch surface, and wear resistance improvement in bus strap design. It is an ideal solution for your bold creativity!

Contact Amy Wang at amy.wang@silike.cn or visit www.si-tpv.com to learn more about eco-friendly automotive handle materials，soft-touch overmolded handrails, grips, and coated webbing materials.

Discover how Si-TPV helps create a safe, sustainable, and soft-touch alternative for modern transport handles and straps.

Post time: Jul-18-2025