Group standard
VW 50123
Issue 2015-09
Class. No.:55154
Descriptors:
TPE, TPU, TPO, TPS, TPC, TPA, thermoplastic, elastomer
Thermoplastic Elastomers Quality Requirements
Previous issues
VW 50123: 2000-10, 2005-04, 2007-10Changes
The following changes have been made to VW 50123: 2007-10:–Standard completely revised –Applicable documents updated –Standard changed to new layout Scope
This standard contains quality requirements for materials that are based on thermoplastic elasto‐mers (TPE) and are intended for motor vehicle components. Parts with qualities that cannot be classified on the basis of this standard require separate Technical Supply Specifications (TLs) or notes in the respective drawing.Definitions
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)
Thermoplastic elastomers are elastomers that have a flow transition at temperatures greater than the application range.
These elastomers are multi-phase materials that contain hard and soft segments as blocks in the main chain or hard segments grafted as side chains on flexible base chains. The soft segments form the movable areas necessary for the rubber elasticity. The cross-linked areas of these
1
2  2.1
Always use the latest version of this standard.
This electronically generated standard is authentic and valid without signature.
The English translation is believed to be accurate. In case of discrepancies, the German version is alone authoritative and controlling.
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Q U E L L E : N O L I S
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materials are relatively easy to split by means of heat and thus limit the characteristic rubber-elas‐tic application at higher temperatures. The thermoreversible cross-linking of TPEs allows for ther‐moplastic-like processing.Type groups
Types with low hardness
Hardness range ≤ 65 Shore A and hardness range > 65 Shore A.
Material designations (as per DIN EN ISO 18064); Designation examples:–Urethane thermoplastic elastomer (TPU)> TPU-ARES <
(aromatic hard segments/ester soft segments)
> TPU-ARET <
(aromatic hard segments/ether soft segments)–Ethylene propylene diene rubber
(EPDM)/polypropylene (PP) thermo‐plastic elastomer (olefinic thermoplas‐
tic elastomer (TPO) or thermoplastic
vulcanizate (TPV))> TPO-(EPDM+PP) <In the case of non-cross-linked elastomer phases > TPV-(EPDM+PP) <
帕杰罗车友会In the case of cross-linked elastomer phases –
Styrenic thermoplastic elastomer
(TPS)
> TPS-SBS <> TPS-SEBS <
Types with high hardness小型救护车
Hardness range of 40 to 50 Shore D.Material designations:
–Copolyester thermoplastic elastomer
(TPC)
> TPC-EE <–Polyamide thermoplastic elastomer
(TPA)> TPA-ES <
Designation
Refer to DIN EN ISO 18064 for the designations of thermoplastic elastomers.
Designation example for a black-dyed, lightfast TPO with a preferred hardness of 60 Shore A and a density of 1.04 g/cm 3:
TPO-(EPDM+PP) as per Volkswagen standard VW 50123 – 60 Shore A, black, 1.04 g/cm 3, light‐
fast Requirements Basic requirements
Approval of first supply and changes as per Volkswagen standard VW 01155Avoidance of hazardous substances as per VW 91101.
2.2  2.2.1
2.2.2
3
4  4.1
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VW 50123: 2015-09
In terms of the raw materials on which they are based, the materials used in components that are made of thermoplastic elastomers and that are subject to dynamic loads during driving operation must be free of recycled material. Within this context, "recycled material" refers to products from a recycling process (thermal, mechanical, and/or chemical) used to recycle material from used com‐ponents.
For components subject to dynamic loads, using regrind (from the material fed directly into the components' own manufacturing process) is permissible up to a limit of 20%, provided that the re‐quired material level for the component is consistently reached so that the use of regrind does not have a significant impact on the required material properties.
TPE qualities are preferably tested on components, component sections or, in exceptional cases,test plates.
Samples must always be delivered with the manufacturer’s quality designation.
The number of parts required for laboratory tests must be agreed upon with the appropriate Materi‐als Laboratory in each case.
When manufacturing plate material, anisotropic effects (= orientation of macromolecules during production) can be expected as a result of the molding material injection process (gate marks).This will lead to differences in the mechanical characteristic values of strength and elongation de‐pending on the direction of the orientations. This must be taken into account during testing. To this end, appropriate specimens must be taken from the plate material both in the longitudinal and transverse directions and torn apart. Generally, the specimens taken transversely to the direction of orientation of the macromolecules will have lower strength and elongation values.
The specimens to be used for laboratory tests as per this standard must be taken transversely to the orientation of the macromolecules.Evaluation of the measurement results
The required numerical values apply to each individual measurement.Color in as-received condition
As per drawing.Appearance
No visible flaws, inclusions, etc.Material identification
Infrared spectroscopy, pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS)coupling
Py-GC-MS as per Test Specification PV 3935.Thermogravimetry
See section 6.1.
Volatile, polymer, and nonvolatile percentages must be specified.
4.3
4.4
4.5  4.
5.1
4.5.2
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VW 50123: 2015-09
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
See section 6.2.
The following must be specified: Enthalpy of fusion, melting range (T m  reflects the start of melting,not the peak maximum), 1st heat-up curve, 1st crystallization curve, 2nd heat-up curve, and 2nd crystallization curve.Dimensional stability under heat as per DIN EN ISO 306, method B
奥迪s6avantOnly if required in the drawing; as per the released sample.Density as per DIN EN ISO 1183-1
吸污车Specified as per drawing.Hardness Shore A
Hardness range of 55 Shore A to 80 Shore A for TPE that are primarily exposed to daylight and weather effects (e.g., TPO, TPV).Shore D
Hardness range of 40 Shore D to 50 Shore D for TPE that may also come into contact with operat‐ing fluids such as oils, greases, fuels, blowby gases (limited resistance) (e.g., TPC).Low-temperature elasticity after 22 h at -40 °C General requirements
No cracks or fractures under manual bending stress.Freeze temperature T G
As per drawing.Ozone resistance as per VW 2.8.1, installed in a manner similar to that used during op‐eration
Free of cracks.Flammability as per TL 1010
As per drawing.Lightfastness as per VW 2.8.1
No changes compared to the as-received condition, e.g., discoloration, embrittlement, decomposi‐tion, cracks. Only required if "lightfast" is additionally specified in the drawing.
4.5.3  4.5.4
4.5.5
4.6  4.6.1
4.6.2
4.7  4.7.1
4.7.2
4.9
4.10
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Emission behavior as per VW 50180.
As per drawing.Properties
For the Shore A hardness range, see table 1. For the Shore D hardness range, see table 2.In justifie
d cases, deviating limits may be specified in agreement with the appropriate Volkswagen Group Materials Engineering department.
Table 1 – Shore A hardness range
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