When you’re developing a product that people will touch, bend, stretch, or rely on every day, the feel and function matter just as much as the look.
We’re talking products like flexible tubing, electrical cable sheathing, automotive trims, or household goods, where your choice of material can make a big difference to user satisfaction and product longevity.
Adjusting the formulation of a flexible extrusion compound to suit your application will allow you to strike the ideal balance between softness, strength and performance, all without compromising on cost or compliance.
First Impressions Matter
Think about the last time you gripped a hose or unplugged a cable. Was the material slick and stiff, or was it soft and grippy? The tactile feel of a product will instantly shape your perception of its quality.
With the right kind of PVC compound, you can fine-tune every characteristic of the material, such as its texture, gloss and softness, to suit the end-use purpose. With the right combination of plasticisers, stabilisers and additives, it’s possible to create compounds that feel exactly how you want them to feel.
This is particularly important in products that are handled frequently or that are exposed to varying temperatures, such as medical tubing, automotive parts, or consumer electronics.
Flexibility That Performs
One of the great things about PVC is that it’s a naturally versatile material, which means that its flexibility can be precisely modified for specific applications. At IPC, we provide compounds in a wide range of hardness levels, allowing you to choose between rigid profiles or highly flexible extrusions.
Flexibility can directly impact handling, safety and performance in some industries, like mining, agriculture, or construction, so having the right formulation can make a big difference.
That’s why it’s important to work closely with the manufacturer to develop the exact right compound to meet the mechanical stress demands without cracking, shrinking, or warping under pressure.
Durability That Lasts
It’s simply not enough for your product to look and feel great. It needs to last as well. That’s why we focus on long-term performance by building in material characteristics like UV, heat, abrasion, and chemical resistance.
Customising the formulation to your specific requirements will help you reduce failure rates, boost brand confidence and extend the product lifespan to keep your reputation as strong as the materials your products are made of.
Get in touch with IPC today to talk about your rigid or flexible extrusion compound requirements. We’ll help you develop a PVC solution that feels right, performs better, and stands up to real-world conditions.
