Efficiencies of Radiation-Induced Elastomer Reactions

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are either block copolymers (SBS, SEES, SEPS, TPU, COPA, COPE) or blends, such as TPO (elastomer/hard thermoplastic, also referred to as thermoplastic olefin) and TPV (fhermoplastic vul-canizafe, blend of a vulcanized elastomer and a hard fhermoplastic). These types represent the majority of fhe TPEs other types are either specialty or small-volume materials. 

Normally, TPEs are not cross-linked because the thermoplastic nature is their desired property in most cases. However, in some cases cross-linking is used to improve mechanical properties, influence flow to reduce swelling in oils and solvents, eliminate dissolution of fhe polymer in oils and solvenfs, increase heat resistance, and influence ofher performance characteristics. Examples where cross-linking by ionizing radiation is necessary for fhe given processes are  

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Efficiencies of radiation-induced reactions of selected elastomers are in Table 5.7. Tensile stiength data from another group are in Table 5.8. 

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