US custom compounder Teknor Apex (Pawtucket, Rhode Island; www.teknorapex.com) has expanded its “Apex” range of extrusion compounds by the addition of “Apex 1545-D40 ST”, a PVC compound that it says eliminates the need for secondary texturing steps such as top-coating or milling. The compounds can be coextruded, bond well to metal and have physical properties that resemble those of standard PVC, the company added.

The grade has a Shore C and D hardness in the ranges of 60-70 and 34-33, a respective gravity of 1.37-1.43 and a tensile strength of 8-18 MPa, with an elongation at break of 150-250%, Teknor Apex said. These characteristics make it particularly suitable for roof ditch mouldings, window lace trims and belt-line body trims, where it ensures that surfaces stay blemish-free even after prolonged outdoor exposure. The material is available in custom colours and can be matched to OEM standards.

Commenting on the grade, Steve McCormack, automotive industry manager for the company’s Vinyl division, said, “New Apex 1545-D40 ST compounds yield a homogeneous, scratch-resistant finish that stands up to the harsh weathering performance requirements of automotive OEMs.”