Lightweight, Breathable Body Protectors Made Using Flexible Thermoplastic Elastomer Compound in Collaboration with KRAIBURG TPE

French company Hexaflex has developed a patented filling technology based on hexagonal pyramidal shapes molded with TPE. The KRAIBURG TPE thermoplastic elastomer compound provides the flexibility, lightweight properties and fully articulated modular system characteristics suitable for numerous impact and vibration-absorbing applications ranging from sportswear and personal protective equipment to healthcare services and other industries. In its first application, the innovative technology was used for a back protection product covered with high-strength aromatic polyamide stretch fabric for cyclists and motorcyclists. The lightweight material combination acts as a second skin, and with its interlocking shapes embedded in THERMOLAST® K, Hexaflex filling provides maximum impact absorption while designed to follow body movements. Stephane Desnoyers, Hexaflex Founder and Chief Executive Officer, emphasized that innovative concepts like the Hexaflex system require innovative materials to transform themselves from the concept stage into reality. "Although we knew it needed to be an elastomer material rather than foam, the success of this project was essentially achieved through expertise developed in collaboration with KRAIBURG TPE. KRAIBURG TPE helped us identify the most suitable thermoplastic elastomer and provided us with all kinds of support from the design phase through to series production," he said.