Independent Testing Proves PolyOne Shock-Absorbing TPEs Protect Phone Cases from Impact Better Than TPUs

September 13, 2018

CLEVELAND – September 13, 2018 – Before PolyOne introduced Versaflex™ XP shock absorbing TPEs to the market, it reached out to an independent testing lab to understand just how well these new materials perform relative to TPUs, one of the most commonly used materials in phone cases.

Shock absorbing TPEs are the latest technology developed by PolyOne specifically for phone cases. This material was repeatedly subjected to severe impact during tests in which two iPhone 6/7 cases were dropped from an industry-standard range of heights, from 4 to 14 feet. Both iPhone cases used TPU on the exterior, while the control case used TPU on the interior and the second case used shock absorbing TPEs on the interior.

The Shinyei Technology Drop Tower D-202 Series dropped each phone case three times, on the same corner of the phone, at each drop height.

To compare performance, the internal iPhone accelerometer measured the Peak G impact force upon the phones when dropped. The lower the peak G value, the less potential damage is done to the phone. Results showed Versaflex™ XP shock absorbing TPEs absorbed up to 10 percent more impact than TPU at drop heights of 4 – 8 feet, and over 25 percent more impact at 10 – 14 feet. In addition, the tests showed that a case made with Versaflex XP TPE dropped from 14 feet performs nearly the same as a TPU case dropped from 10 feet.

Beyond providing impact protection performance, these specially designed TPEs enable designers, engineers, and product managers to improve abrasion resistance, design thinner cases, and tell a new story for their phone case design.

Click here for a technical bulletin with additional details about the testing.

 

About PolyOne

PolyOne Corporation, with 2017 revenues of $3.2 billion, is a premier provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions. The company is dedicated to serving customers in diverse industries around the globe by creating value through collaboration, innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Guided by its Core Values, Sustainability Promise and No Surprises PledgeSM, PolyOne is an ACC Responsible Care® certified company committed to its customers, employees, communities and shareholders through ethical, sustainable and fiscally responsible principles. For more information, visit www.polyone.com.

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Caption: PolyOne used Shinyei Technology’s D-202 drop tower to measure impact protection performance in phone cases.

EDITORS: For a high-resolution image, please click here: Versaflex™

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Media contact

Michelle Maniscalco

Senior Manager, Marketing Communications

PolyOne Corporation

+1 440-930-1988

michelle.maniscalco@avient.com