The American Dream .. a car that doesn't leak

What sells cars ? Sex, size, seating capacity, cup holders, colour, price, fuel efficiency, loyalty ? Whatever it is, no-one wants a car that leaks.

Sealing systems don't excite many folks but they sure get Sam Jyawook excited.

Regularly receiving GM best supplier awards at Thona, Sam Jyawook left to start Jyco Industries in Dexter , Michigan.

He saw the wave and he jumped.

Previously car / door, / engine compartment seals used EDPM technology which was introduced in the 80's, it was a plastic open celled compound , called ethylene propylene diene monomer which was the eventual product of petroleum distillates and they contain 18 additives.

Seals have to meet very demanding requirements to combat a huge range of contaminants, dust, grit, grime, liquid over a long product lifetime. They should not bloom and go white - which EPDM doesas a result of UV light exposure, they must have just the right Coefficient of Friction - too little and the seal won't work, too much and you need Arnold Schwarzenegger to open the trunk, they must last , they must keep their colour, gloss and smooth surface... and help to get just the right car door closing slam sound.

So Sam and Jyco introduced TVP - thermoplastic vulcanizate which is a closed cell composite of EPDM and polypropylene and at 1% absorption is virtually moisture proof and contain 3 additives and have typically 20-30% mass than their EPDM equivalent.

Not does it only outperform and outlast EPDM but it cost less to manufacture, uses less energy and produces less waste.

"The average EPDM extrusion line is 400 feet long and draws 250,000 watts of energy. Our TPV lines are 100 feet long and use one-third of the energy. EPDM lines average around 15% scrap on a good day, none of which is recyclable. Jyco's TPV lines average 4% scrap, all of which is recyclable.

EPDM processing emits volatile organic compounds. TPV emits no VOCs, and produces less carbon dioxide."

Jyco now sells TPV parts to OEMs around the world through their plants in China, Belgium, and Mexico - probably better sealing than you have on any door or window in your house.

..and Sam is again a three-time recipient of the GM Supplier of the Year Award

This is a super American success story ... next time when you are bowling along in a rainstorm, in your 6, seat, 9 miles per gallon, 3 ton , 5 litre SUV and the rain doesn't come in and the sound outside doesn't drown your stereo or the kids DVD .. think of Sam and how he made the world a slightly better place.

...you can of course really piss off the salesman when you buy your next one, with questions about the merits of TPV over EPDM, the coefficient of friction and tight bond injection-molded corner molding technology using TPV foam extrusions for glass run channel and primary body seals.

..or you could just leave it to your wife to choose the colour.