Polyether-block-amide elastomer

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)...

Table 10.17 Abrasive Behavior of Evonik Industries Vestamid E Polyether Block Amide Elastomers [9]...

Begenir, A., Michielsen, S., and Pourdeyhimi, B., Melt-Blowing Thermoplastic Polyurethane and Polyether-Block-Amide Elastomers Effect of Processing Conditions and Crystallization on Web Properties , Polymer Engineering and Science, 49, 1340-1349, 2009. 

There are a few additional families of block copolymer elastomers with similar chemistry, but with minor differences. These families include polyamide elastomers (PAE) and polyether-block-amide elastomers (PEBA). 

Polyether-block-amide elastomer—Another high-performance TPE, featuring an amide (aka nylon) hard block instead of a polyester block, along with a polyether soft block. 

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

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. 

Polyether Block Amide Polyether Block Amide is a thermoplastic elastomer made of a flexible polymer and a rigid polyamid. 

PEBA Thermoplastic elastomer, polyether block amide... 

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), which combine the characteristics of both thermoplastics and elastomers, can be classified into two major groups. The first is made up of block copolymers formed by polymerizing a thermoplastic monomer with an elastomer comonomer, as in the case of styrene block copolymers such as styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS). Engineering TPEs such as thermoplastic urethanes (TPUs), copolyesters (COPEs) and polyether block amides (PEBAs) can be included in this first group. Other types of copolymer are from the polyolefin family, consisting of the polyolefin... 

PEBAX POLYETHER BLOCK AMIDE THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS... 

This growing family of thermoplastic elastomers, known generically as polyether block amides (PEBA), is comprised of rigid polyamide blocks and flexible polyether blocks. 

By itself, a summary of the history of polyether block amide thermoplastic elastomers would indeed be a relatively short story as these types of resins are still quite young in terms of commercial development. However, the rapid market acceptance and future growth potential for this new class of engineering resins makes the documentation of their development a worthwhile endeavor at this time. To complete the story on polyether block amides, a review of the chemistry, properties and major end-uses of these resins is also included. 

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. 

Due to the diversity of polyether block amide thermoplastic elastomers that can be produced, a discussion of their specific properties would be a rather lengthy exercise. Even to list the properties of all the possible combinations of a particular set of polyamide and polyether segments could prove cumbersome as the amount of either segment in the copolymer may vary between ten and ninety percent. Therefore, a discussion of the properties of PEBA can be best accomplished by citing overall performance characteristics and ranges of values. Several properties worth noting include ... 

Polyether block amide thermoplastic elastomers are processed on conventional thermoplastic processing equipment. Typical processing temperatures are in the range of 195°C to 260°C. Being a condensation polymer, the resin should contain no more than 0.1% moisture when processed to avoid hydrolysis. Most commercial grades of PEBA can be processed... 

Although a relatively new family of engineering thermoplastic elastomers, polyether block amides have found a place in the growing family of engineering resins. The versatility of the polyether block amide chemistry and the wide variety of achievable performance characteristics has resulted in very rapid growth of this class of resins. ATOCHEM expects this growth to continue for many years to come as further research and development unveils new formulations, stabilization systems, polymerization processes and applications. 

Polyether block amides or thermoplastic elastomers based on polyamides are little resistant to UV radiation. Therefore, most types are UV-stabilized to ensure long service lives and little color changes [86]. 

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. 

Common name Polyether block amide (thermoplastic elastomer made of flexible polyether and ... 

Imanishi T and Matsumoto T (1986) Manufacture of block polyether-ester-amide elastomers by melt pol5rmerization, JP Patent 63 035,622, to Asahi Chemical Ind., Chem Abstr 109 151198. 

Deleens G (1987) Polyether block amide thermoplastic elastomers, in Thermoplastic Elastomers A Comprehensive Review (Eds. Legge N R, Holden G and Schroeder H E) Hanser Publishers, New York, Gh. 9B, pp. 217-230. 

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. 

High-performance TPE based on a polyamide (aka nylon) hard block along with a soft segment. PAEs are also known as polyether block amides or as copolyester amides or thermoplastic elastomer-amides. They are used mainly in areas where other TPE cannot compete/ perform, especially at lower temperatures. 

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