Traditional thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) are known as two-phase systems. Essentially, a hard thermoplastic phase is coupled mechanically or chemically with a soft elastomer phase, resulting in a TPE that has the combined properties of the two phases. They are, generally, low modulus, flexible materials that can be stretched repeatedly to at least twice their original length at room temperature with an ability to return to their approximate original length when stress is released. The ancestor of such materials are thermoset rubbers, but many families of injection-moldable thermoplastic elastomers are replacing traditional rubbers. In addition to use in their basic form, TPE are widely used to modify the properties of rigid thermoplastics, usually improving their impact strength. This is quite common for sheet goods and general molding compounds. The TPE types could be categorized into two generic classes, block copolymers (styrenics, copolyesters, polyurethanes and polyamides) and thermoplastic/elastomer blends & alloys (thermoplastic polyolefins and thermoplastic vulcanizates) as follows:
Styrenic Block Copolymers (TPE-S) SBS is based on two-phase block copolymers with hard and soft segments. The styrene end blocks provide the thermoplastic properties and the butadiene mid-blocks provide the elastomeric properties. SBS is probably the highest volume TPE-S material produced and is commonly used in footwear, adhesives, bitumen modification and lower- specification seals and grips, where resistance to chemicals and aging a lower priority. SBS when hydrogenated becomes SEBS, as the elimination of the C=C bonds in the butadiene component generated ethylene and butylenes mid-block, hence the SEBS acronym. SEBS is characterised by much improved heat resistance, weatherability, mechanical properties and chemical resistance.
Thermoplastic copolyesters (TPE-E or COPE or TEEE) are used where increased chemical resistance and heat resistance up to 140°C are needed. They also exhibit good fatigue resistance and tear strength and because of that they are used in automotive applications such as blow moulded boots and bellows, wire and cable, and industrial hose applications. Again hardness is restricted to the high end and is typically between 85 ShoreA to 75 ShoreD.
Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPE-U or TPU) can be based on polyester or polyether urethane types and they are used in applications where a product requires excellent tear strength, abrasion resistance, and flex fatigue resistance. Examples include shoe soles, industrial belting, ski boots, and wire and cable applicationc.
Hardness is restricted to the high end of the Shore A scale, typically >80 Shore A.
Thermoplastic polyether block amides (TPE-A or PEBA) offer a good heat resistance, good chemical resistance and good bonding properties to polyamide engineering plastics. Their applications include cable jacketing and aerospace components.
Thermoplastic Polyolefins (TPE-O or TPO) are essentally blends of polypropylene (PP) and un-crosslinked EPDM rubber, in some cases a low degree of cross-linking is present to boost heat resistance and compression set properties. They are used in applications where there are requirements for increased toughness over the conventional PP copolymers, such as in automotive bumpers and dashboards. The properties are restricted to the high end of the hardness scale, typically >80 Shore A and with limited elastomeric properties. Historically, these products were mechanical blends of the 2 polymers. However with new catalyst technology it is now possible to blend the EPDM and PP in the reactor, therefore these types of TPEs are now available from major polymer manufacturers. These products are suited to high volume low cost applications, however there is still a market for custom mechanical blended TPE-O.
Thermoplastic vulcanisates (TPE-V or TPV) are materials which are the next step up in performance from
TPE-O. These are compounds of PP and EPDM rubber too, however they have been dynamically vulcanised during the compounding step. They have seen strong growth in EPDM-replacement for automotive seals, pipe seals, and other applications where a heat resistance of up to 120°C is required. Shore hardness values range typically from 45A to 45D. Improvements in long terms compression set resistance versus standard TPE-V materials are also possible. There are a number of new TPE-V being introduced, aclled “Super TPV” which are based on engineering plastics blended with high performance elastomers, which can offer greatly improved its heat and chemical resistance.
ALM KOMPAUNDI DOO could offer wide range of different elastomer grades directly from its warehouses. Please click on the particular grade link associated with typical grade below. Note that below list is just short abstract from our portfolio and portfolio of our suppliers. For more information, please contact us.
Grades supplied
Elastron D400.A30.N
(SBS, unfilled, injection molding grade, impact modifier for ABS, 30 ShA, natural)
Elastron D100.A30.N
(SBS, injection molding grade, 30 ShA, natural)
Elastron D100.A40.N
(SBS, injection molding, impact modifier for PP, 40 ShA, natural)
Elastron G100.A20.N
(SEBS, 20 ShA, natural)
Elastron G100.A30.N
(SEBS, 00 ShA, natural)
Elastron G100.A40.N
(SEBS, 40 ShA, natural)
Elastron G100.A55.B
(SEBS, 55 ShA, black)
Elastron G100.A60.N
(SEBS, injection molding grade 60 ShA, natural)
Elastron G100.A85.N
(SEBS, injection molding grade 85 ShA, natural)
Elastron V100.A65.B
(TPV, PP/EPDM vulcanizate, injection molding, 65 ShA, black)
Elastron V100.A78.B
(TPV, PP/EPDM vulcanizate, injection molding, 65 ShA, black)
Elastron G601.A45.N
(SEBS, HFFR grade, V-0, UL registred, injection molding 45 ShA, natural)
Elastron G601.A45.B
(SEBS, HFFR grade, V-0, UL registred, injection molding 45 ShA, black)
Elastron G601.A60B
(SEBS, HFFR grade, V-0, UL registred, injection molding 60 ShA, black)
Elastron R982.A55.B
(TPE, injection molding grade, 55 ShA, black)
Brochures and useful literature
Elastron Company Presentation
Elastron Technical Brochure
Elastron Consumer Goods
Elastron Impact Modification
Elastron Automotive
Elastron Bondable grades
Elastron HFFR grades