Hytrel continuous hinge is supplied in 2.5m lengths.
Hytrel® is a brand of thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPC-ET) known for its excellent properties, making it a suitable material for hinges, particularly “living hinges.” While polypropylene (PP) is often considered the best resin for living hinges due to its high melt flow and durability, Hytrel® offers a superior combination of properties (including broader temperature resistance and chemical resistance) that makes it a preferred choice for more demanding and diverse hinge applications.

What makes Hytrel® good for hinges?

• Flexibility and Resilience: Hytrel® combines the flexibility of rubber with the strength of thermoplastics. It can flex and recover repeatedly, offering excellent flex fatigue and tear resistance, which is crucial for hinges that undergo countless cycles of bending. This allows for a long service life without cracking or breaking, unlike some other materials that might become brittle over time.
• Durability and Strength: It boasts exceptional toughness, impact resistance, and resistance to creep (deformation under prolonged stress). This means Hytrel® hinges can withstand demanding applications and maintain their structural integrity.
• Wide Temperature Range: Hytrel® maintains its flexibility at low temperatures and retains good mechanical properties at high temperatures, making it suitable for a wide range of environments. For example, it’s used in snowshoe hinges that endure extreme cold.
• Chemical Resistance: It resists many industrial chemicals, oils, fuels, hydrocarbon-based solvents, and other substances, expanding its application possibilities.

Types of Hinges and Applications:

Hytrel® is particularly well-suited for living hinges, which are thin sections of plastic that connect two rigid parts, allowing them to bend repeatedly. These integrated hinges eliminate the need for separate hinge components, simplifying assembly and reducing manufacturing costs.

Common applications for Hytrel® hinges include:

• Commercial vehicles: Used for durable hinges in doors and other components and usually mounted in a horizontal plane.