Extrudaseal: 3 Important Benefits of Using Co

Date: 21 December 2017

They need to be able withstand moisture and severe weather, helping to seal off the interior, however, they must also be flexible enough to be easily installed and designed to last for a long time.

Flexible compounds such as TPE, PVC, PVC nitriles and TPU make ideal extrusion materials due to their flexibility and weather resistance qualities, however, by combining more than one material, an even stronger seal can be created. This is called co-extrusion.

Co-extrusion follows the same principles as single material extrusion process, however, a combination of thermoplastic materials are melted together before being driven through die to form a continuous profile with the combined strengths of each material. Here we discuss three of the most important benefits of using co-extruded seals for windows and doors.

As stated, by co-extruding window seals, the best properties of each material combine to provide an improved weather sealing solution.

By dialling in certain amounts of each material, you can design a seal to best suit the conditions that it will face – co-extruded plastic seals can have fantastic weatherability and flexibility, as well as providing good protection for the window panes.

Minimal shrinkage is also an important property – co-extruded seals can be designed so that there is no shrinkage when in contact with hot or cold temperatures.

Compared with other manufacturing processes, extrusion and co-extrusion are much more cost effective. Whilst the correct dies must be manufactured, the production of extruded and co-extruded parts takes less time than other processes and requires only a minimum level of labour – as a result, costs are kept down.

The co-extrusion production process is simple and with the right tooling, it is easy to produce window seals that exceed quality expectations.

Co-extrusion is money well spent; quality window seals will not only provide excellent performance, but will last for a number of years when co-extrusion materials are carefully considered.

As specialists in flexible extrusions, our team and plant are second to none when it comes to producing and advising on co-extruded window and door seals.