What are the outstanding features of TPV sheets in terms of aging resistance when used in automotive sealing components?
Publish Time: 2026-02-28
In the long evolution of the automotive industry, sealing systems have been hailed as the "invisible guardians" of vehicles, shouldering the important responsibilities of waterproofing, dustproofing, sound insulation, and heat preservation. With breakthroughs in materials science, thermoplastic vulcanized TPV sheets are gradually replacing traditional EPDM rubber and PVC, becoming the preferred material for automotive sealing components. Among these, TPV's outstanding aging resistance not only redefines the service life of seals but also becomes a key cornerstone for ensuring the quality and safety of automobiles throughout their entire lifecycle.1. A "Light Shield" Against UV Rays: Excellent Weather ResistanceAutomotive sealing strips are exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods, and ultraviolet radiation is the number one killer of rubber materials. Under UV irradiation, the molecular chains of traditional materials are prone to breakage or cross-linking, leading to surface cracking, powdering, fading, and ultimately loss of elasticity and sealing function. TPV sheets exhibit exceptional toughness in this regard. Its unique microstructure—composed of highly cross-linked EPDM rubber microparticles dispersed within a continuous polypropylene phase—endows the material with natural UV resistance. TPV sheets, with their specially optimized formulation, act like a robust "light shield," effectively absorbing and dissipating UV energy and preventing damage to the polymer backbone. Even in high-altitude regions or tropical climates exposed to intense sunlight, TPV sealing strips maintain their vibrant color and smooth surface year-round, without noticeable cracking or powdering.2. A "Thermostat" Against Temperature Changes: Stability Across a Wide Temperature RangeThe automotive environment is extremely complex, ranging from the frigid Arctic Circle to the scorching deserts, with temperature differences spanning hundreds of degrees Celsius. Ordinary rubber easily hardens and cracks at low temperatures, while softening and deforming at high temperatures, leading to seal failure. TPV sheets, however, exhibit remarkable adaptability across a wide temperature range. Thanks to its dynamic vulcanization technology, TPV maintains excellent flexibility and resilience even in temperatures as low as -60°C, ensuring that car doors close easily and leak-proof in freezing rain. Furthermore, it maintains structural stability at temperatures as high as 135°C and even higher, remaining non-flowing and non-sticky.3. A "Golden Shield" Against Oxidation and OzoneBesides light and temperature, oxygen and ozone in the air are also significant factors accelerating rubber aging, especially ozone, which readily attacks the double bonds in rubber molecules, causing "ozone cracking." Although the rubber phase in TPV sheets contains double bonds, its highly cross-linked structure and network structure greatly reduce the efficiency of ozone attack. Simultaneously, highly effective antioxidants and anti-ozone agents are typically added to the TPV matrix, forming a dual protection mechanism.In conclusion, the application of TPV sheets in automotive sealing components, with its superior UV resistance, wide temperature range stability, and strong antioxidant and ozone resistance, sets a new benchmark for aging resistance. It not only solves the pain points of traditional rubber materials being prone to aging and having a short lifespan, but also provides reliable protection for automobiles in all weather conditions and throughout their entire life cycle with its excellent performance of "leaving no trace of time".
