antec article

Abstract

Blending an elastomer with a thermoplastic polymer can result in compounds that are called thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). They have rubber-like properties but can be processed like thermoplastic polymers. The combination of these properties makes these compounds good alternatives for the classical cross-linked rubbers. The polymer, being in most cases semi-crystalline, acts as a physical cross-linker for the elastomer phase that melts at elevated temperatures and the compound becomes processable in conventional thermoplastic processing equipment.  In this study two types of TPE compounds are used to study the effect of morphology and composition on the linear viscoelastic properties. Both compounds are based on isotactic polypropylene (PP) as the hard phase and only the type of elastomer differs.  The morphology of the elastomer phase in the compound is either dispersed or co-continuous.

The dynamic mechanical and rheological properties of two types of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) compounds were studied at room temperatures and processing temperatures. The properties of Thermoplastic Vulcanisates (TPV) and PP/SEBS compounds can be described using models based on mechanical mixing rules. The results were evaluated as a function of composition.

spe antec tech. papers, 50, 3265-3269, 2004

Dynamic Rheological and Mechanical properties of olefinic thermoplastic elastomer compounds