Elastomers Pebax

Other important thermoplastic elastomers are the multiblock polyetheresters (trade names Hytrel, Lomod) and polyetheramides (trade names Pebax, Estamid, Grilamid). 

Pebax is a thermoplastic elastomer PA is an aliphatic polyamide hard block (e.g., nylon-6, nylon-12) and PEG is an amorphous polyether (polyethylene oxide (PEO) or polytetramethylene oxide (PTMO)) soft block (Scheme 4.2). 

The above thermal analysis studies demonstrated the enhanced thermal stability of POSS materials, and suggested that there is potential to improve the flammability properties of polymers when compounded with these macromers. In a typical example of their application as flame retardants, a U.S. patent39 described the use of preceramic materials, namely, polycarbosilanes (PCS), polysilanes (PS), polysilsesquioxane (PSS) resins, and POSS (structures are shown in Figure 8.6) to improve the flammability properties of thermoplastic polymers such as, polypropylene and thermoplastic elastomers such as Kraton (polystyrene-polybutadiene-polystyrene, SBS) and Pebax (polyether block-polyamide copolymer). 

Newer materials are being developed which lie between plastics and elastomers. One of these is a polyether block amide copolymer developed by ATO Chemie, Europe, called Pebax. This is a tough, highly flexible material which by changing the ratio of ether and amide can have a wide balance between hardness and flexibility. Currently this material is relatively expensive ( 3,000- 5,000 per tonne). 

Pebax 2533 SA 00 Polyether block amide Thermoplastic elastomer... 

General Description Elf Atochem Pebax Resins, breathable resins, are polyether block amides (PEBAs), thermoplastic elastomers made of a flexible polymer and a rigid polyamide. Extruded films made with Pebax are compact, thoroughly waterproof, and breathable. 

Pebax, Thermoplastic elastomers. Elf Atochem North America, Inc. 

PEBAX POLYETHER BLOCK AMIDE THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS... 

By this time it was evident that a commercial market for PEBA did exist. Several applications targeted during the early development of the product appeared to be feasible and a need for commercial quantities of the resin was imminent. In 1981 a commercial production line was brought On stream in Europe, and a unique new family of polyether block amide thermoplastic elastomers under the tradename of PEBAX polyether block amide was formally introduced at Interplas in Birmingham, England. 

Following the U.S. introduction of PEBAX in 1981, a market for the product rapidly developed. Based On the apparent future demand for this new family of resins, a commercial production facility for polyether block amide thermoplastic elastomers was brought on Stream in the U.S. 

Polyether block amides (PEBAX or TPE-A) are relatively stable against a number of chemicals compared to other thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). Several solvents cause material swelling that Increases with Increasing flexibility of the material [657]. However, general statements cannot be made suitability tests are required. 

Figure 10.3 DeMattia flexural fatigue at -20°C of Arkema Pebax polyether block amide elastomers [8].

Table 10.16 Taber Abrasion of Arkema Pebax Polyether Block Amide Elastomers (ASTM D1044, HI8 Wheel, 1 kg Load)...

As mentioned earlier, PEBA is an abbreviation used for any polyether-5-amide thermoplastic elastomer. In 1981, Atochem launched for the first time on the market a new polyether-6-amide thermoplastic elastomer product family under the trade name PEBAX . 

Sheth J P, Xu J and Wilkes G L (2003) Solid state structure-property behavior of semicrystaUine poly(ether-61ocfc-amide) PEBAX thermoplastic elastomers. Polymer 44 743-756. 

Detailed information on the synthesis of PEBA is presented in Chapters 2 and 10 and also in [13-16]. However, it is worth mentioning here that commercially available poly (ether- -amide) PEBAX copolymers are synthesized by melt polycondensation of carboxylic acid-terminated amide blocks with poly-(oxyalkylene glycol)s. The polymerization is catalyzed by a metal alkoxide Ti(OR)4 and is carried out at elevated temperatures of ca. 230°C under vacuum. These copolymers are marketed for use in many areas, a few of which include sports equipment, automotive components, applications that require polymers with antistatic properties, and also in biomedical applications, such as tubing and catheter balloons [17]. There is also a growing body of literature on the use of PEBAX in the manufacture of membranes for gas separations. Vestamid E-Series elastomers marketed by Degussa-Htils are another commercial example of PTMO-PA12 based PEBA copolymers. 

Elesher Jr J R (1986) PEBAX polyether block amides - a new family of engineering thermoplastic elastomers, in High Performance Polymers Their Origin and Development (Eds. Seymour R B and Krishenbaum G S), Elsevier, New York, pp. 401-408. 

Pebax products can be successfully used as impact modifiers and mechanical strength modifiers, since these thermoplastic elastomers have a glass transition temperature below -50°C. They can therefore be used as impact modifiers (Pebax Series 33) and softening agents for PA6 film (Pebax Series 13, MP 1878), and as strengthening agents for rubbers. 

Polyether- block-amide elastomer Polyether-block-amide elastomer PEBA Pebax... 

The fiber used in this study was Twaron 2200 a poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) aramid fiber, supplied by Akzo Nobel Research (Arnhem). The fibers have modulus Ef= 136 GPa, tensile strength, thermoplastic elastomer, polyether amide block copolymer supplied by Atofma known commercially as Pebax . These thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) consist of linear chains of hard polyamide (PA) blocks covalently linked to soft polyether (PE) blocks via ester groups. The grade of Pebax used was Pebax 7033, with a modulus Eva. = 128 MPa, yield stress ay = 32 MPa, Yield strain ey = 25 %, ultimate failiue stress a m = 67 MPa and an ultimate strain e m = 400 %. 

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