 "Joubert Productions develops snow chains with plastic chain links")
Even at low temperatures plastic can efficiently substitute metal. The French textile and rubber company Joubert Productions is for the first time putting snow chains on the market whose chain links are made entirely from plastic. Joubert is using Elastollan - a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) from BASF, which is supporting the French firm in optimising the component geometry and production.
The snow chains made from the two Elastollan grades B90A15 and B60A10WH meet the ONORM 5117 standard, which applies across Europe, are suitable for different tyre sizes, and easy to fit. The Elastollan versions are abrasion resistant, flexible at low temperatures, and resistant to loose chippings and road salt. They thus ensure that the snow chains have optimum grip on ice and snow.
The Austrian standard ONORM 5117 is designed for metallic chain links which cover the full tread of tyres and must be in contact with the road surface whatever position the wheel is in. Due to the outstanding road grip of BASF’s TPU, the snow chains enable car drivers to enjoy the best possible control over their vehicles on snow-covered roads. As the Elastollan links are much lighter than the conventional metal mesh, the snow chains are easy to handle and quick to remove.
“Tailor-made quality products are the most important part of our business. BASF not only supported our idea of producing lightweight, easy-to-fit snow chains by providing the right material. What is crucial for us is that BASF has been with us right from the initial idea via finding the appropriate mould through to the finished product, thus enabling us to set up with an optimum production process. This means we are not only able to manufacture products efficiently, but can also offer car drivers a high level of safety in winter with snow chains that can be used without any problems,” said Regis Kaelin, who is responsible for R&D at Joubert.
The snow chains made from the two Elastollan grades B90A15 and B60A10WH meet the ONORM 5117 standard, which applies across Europe, are suitable for different tyre sizes, and easy to fit. The Elastollan versions are abrasion resistant, flexible at low temperatures, and resistant to loose chippings and road salt. They thus ensure that the snow chains have optimum grip on ice and snow.
The Austrian standard ONORM 5117 is designed for metallic chain links which cover the full tread of tyres and must be in contact with the road surface whatever position the wheel is in. Due to the outstanding road grip of BASF’s TPU, the snow chains enable car drivers to enjoy the best possible control over their vehicles on snow-covered roads. As the Elastollan links are much lighter than the conventional metal mesh, the snow chains are easy to handle and quick to remove.
“Tailor-made quality products are the most important part of our business. BASF not only supported our idea of producing lightweight, easy-to-fit snow chains by providing the right material. What is crucial for us is that BASF has been with us right from the initial idea via finding the appropriate mould through to the finished product, thus enabling us to set up with an optimum production process. This means we are not only able to manufacture products efficiently, but can also offer car drivers a high level of safety in winter with snow chains that can be used without any problems,” said Regis Kaelin, who is responsible for R&D at Joubert.