Handbook of Thermoplastic Elastomers

Jiri George Drobny

• Publisher: William Andrew
• Year: 2014
• eBook ISBN: 9780323221689
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Materials Science
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Handbook of Thermoplastic Elastomers, Second Edition presents a comprehensive working knowledge of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), providing an essential introduction for those learning the basics, but also detailed engineering data and best practice guidance for those already involved in polymerization, processing, and part manufacture. TPEs use short, cost-effective production cycles, with reduced energy consumption compared to other polymers, and are used in a range of industries including automotive, medical, construction and many more. This handbook provides all the practical information engineers need to successfully utilize this material group in their products, as well as the required knowledge to thoroughly ground themselves in the fundamental chemistry of TPEs. The data tables included in this book assist engineers and scientists in both selecting and processing the materials for a given product or application. In the second edition of this handbook, all chapters have been reviewed and updated. New polymers and applications have been added — particularly in the growing automotive and medical fields — and changes in chemistry and processing technology are covered. - Provides essential knowledge of the chemistry, processing, properties, and applications for both new and established technical professionals in any industry utilizing TPEs - Datasheets provide "at-a-glance" processing and technical information for a wide range of commercial TPEs and compounds, saving readers the need to contact suppliers - Includes data on additional materials and applications, particularly in automotive and medical industries

1

Introduction

Abstract

Thermoplastic elastomers are polymeric materials, which exhibit elasticity at ambient temperatures and can be processed as plastics by melt processing techniques. They are essentially two-phase systems. The phase separation is the result of limited compatibility of the two phases involved. When the material is heated above the melting point or melting range of the hard phase, its melt becomes homogeneous and can be shaped into desired shapes and/or products.

Keywords

Advantages and disadvantages of thermoplastic elastomers; Block copolymers; Classification and nomenclature of thermoplastic elastomers; Current demand for thermoplastic elastomers; Dynamic vulcanization; Elasticity; Elastomers; Forecast of the growth of demand for thermoplastic elastomers; Phase separation; Phase structure; Physical thermoreversible cross-links; Polymerization; Thermoplastic elastomers

1.1. Elasticity and Elastomers

Rubber-like materials consist of relatively long polymeric chains having a high degree of flexibility and mobility, joined into a network structure. The flexibility and mobility allow for a very high deformability. When subjected to external stresses, the long chains may alter their configuration rather rapidly because of the high chain mobility. When the chains are linked into a network structure, the system has solid-like features, where the chains are prevented from flowing relative to each other under external stresses. As a result, a typical rubber may be stretched up to 10 times its original length. On removal of the external forces, it rapidly recovers to its original dimensions, with essentially no residual or nonrecoverable strain.

When ordinary solids, such as crystalline or glassy materials, when subjected to external forces, the distance between two atoms may be altered by only a few angstroms for the deformation to be recoverable. At higher deformations, such materials either flow or fracture. The response of rubber is entirely intramolecular, that is, the externally applied forces are transmitted to the long chains through the linkages at their extremities, change their conformations, and each chain acts as an individual spring in response to the external forces [1].

High-molecular-weight polymers form entanglements by molecular intertwining (see Fig. 1.1(A)), with a spacing (in the bulk state) characteristic of the particular molecular structure. The spacing is expressed by molecular weight between entanglements (M_e). Some examples of values of the molecular weight M_e for several elastomers are in Table 1.1. Thus, a high-molecular-weight polymeric melt will show transient rubber-like behavior even in the absence of any permanent intermolecular bonds [2]. In a cross-linked elastomer, many of these entanglements are permanently locked in (see Fig. 1.1(B)), and at high enough degree of cross-linking, they may be regarded fully equivalent to cross-links, and as such they contribute to the elastic response of the material.

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Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Series
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Preface to the Second Edition
• Preface to the First Edition
• Acknowledgments
• 1. Introduction
• 2. Brief History of Thermoplastic Elastomers
• 3. Additives
• 4. Processing Methods Applicable to Thermoplastic Elastomers
• 5. Styrenic Block Copolymers
• 6. Thermoplastic Elastomers Prepared by Dynamic Vulcanization
• 7. Polyolefin-Based Thermoplastic Elastomers
• 8. Thermoplastic Elastomers Based on Halogen-Containing Polyolefins
• 9. Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomers
• 10. Thermoplastic Elastomers Based on Polyamides
• 11. Thermoplastic Polyether Ester Elastomers
• 12. Ionomeric Thermoplastic Elastomers
• 13. Other Thermoplastic Elastomers
• 14. Thermoplastic Elastomers Based on Recycled Rubber and Plastics
• 15. Applications of Thermoplastic Elastomers
• 16. Recycling of Thermoplastic Elastomers
• 17. Recent Developments and Trends
• Appendix 1. Books and Major Review Articles
• Appendix 2. Major Suppliers of Thermoplastic Elastomers and Compounds
• Appendix 3. ISO Nomenclature for Thermoplastic Elastomers
• Appendix 4. Processing Data Sheets for Commercial Thermoplastic Elastomers and Compounds
• Appendix 5. Technical Data Sheets for Commercial Thermoplastic Elastomers and Compounds
• Appendix 6. Recent TPE Patents
• Appendix 7. The 12 Principles of Green Chemistry
• Abbreviations and Acronyms
• Glossary
• Index