Elastomers polymer

Polymers account for about 3—4% of the total butylene consumption and about 30% of nonfuels use. Homopolymerization of butylene isomers is relatively unimportant commercially. Only stereoregular poly(l-butene) [9003-29-6] and a small volume of polyisobutylene [25038-49-7] are produced in this manner. High molecular weight polyisobutylenes have found limited use because they cannot be vulcanized. To overcome this deficiency a butyl mbber copolymer of isobutylene with isoprene has been developed. Low molecular weight viscous Hquid polymers of isobutylene are not manufactured because of the high price of purified isobutylene. Copolymerization from relatively inexpensive refinery butane—butylene fractions containing all the butylene isomers yields a range of viscous polymers that satisfy most commercial needs (see Olefin polymers Elastomers, synthetic-butylrubber). 

Fig. 4. Phase arrangement in hard polymer/elastomer combinations in which the elastomer phase has been dynamically vulcanised.

Other thermoplastic elastomer combiaations, ia which the elastomer phase may or may not be cross-linked, include blends of polypropylene with nitrile (30,31), butyl (33), and natural (34) mbbers, blends of PVC with nitrile mbber (35,36), and blends of halogenated polyolefins with ethylene interpolymers (29). Collectively, thermoplastic elastomers of this type ate referred to herein as hard polymer/elastomer combinations. Some of the more important examples of the various types are shown in Table 3. 

In the hard polymer/elastomer combinations, the elastomer is often chosen to be a polar mbber or it is cross-linked in some cases it is both. Either of these features improves the resistance to oils and solvents (44). 

In thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyesters, and polyamides, the crystalline end segments, together with the polar center segments, impart good oil resistance and high upper service temperatures. The hard component in most hard polymer/elastomer combinations is crystalline and imparts resistance to solvents and oils, as well as providing the products with relatively high upper service temperatures. 

Thermoplastic elastomers that are hard polymer/elastomer combinations are often not truly synthesized. Instead, the two polymers that form the hard and soft phases are intimately mixed on high shear equipment. 

The production of the hard polymer/elastomer combinations is more simple. The two components are mixed together under conditions of intensive shear. In some cases, grafting may occur. In a variation of this technique, the elastomer can be cross-linked while the mixing is taking place, a process described as dynamic vulcanization (32). 

A large number of hard polymer/elastomer combinations made by the last technique have been investigated (30). In some cases, the components are technologically compatibilized by use of a grafting reaction, but usually a fine dispersion of the two phases is formed that is sufficient to give the product the properties of a thermoplastic elastomer. 

Global consumption of thermoplastic mbbers of all types is estimated at about 600,000 t/yr (51). Of this, 42% was estimated to be consumed in the United States, 39% in Western Europe, and 19% in Japan. At present, the woddwide market is estimated to be divided as follows styrenic block copolymers, 48% hard polymer/elastomer combinations, 26% thermoplastic polyurethanes, 12% thermoplastic polyesters, 4% and others, 9%. The three largest end uses were transportation, 23% footwear, 18% and adhesives, coatings, etc, 16%. The ranges of the hardness values, prices, and specific gravities of commercially available materials are given in Table 4. 

Table 7. Some Trade Names of Thermoplastic Elastomers Based on Hard Polymer/Elastomer Combinations...

Table 15. Properties of Hard Polymer/Elastomer Combinations Based on Polar Elastomers...

Polyisoprene is a synthetic polymer (elastomer) that can he vulcanized hy the addition of sulfur. cis-Polyisoprene has properties similar to that of natural ruhher. It is characterized hy high tensile strength and insensitivity to temperature changes, hut it has low abrasion resistance. It is attacked hy oxygen and hydrocarbons. 

The existence in a high polymer (elastomer, fibre or plastic) of two refractive indices. The ratio of the two indices is a measure of the crystallinity of the polymer. 

Hard oils, in toilet soap making, 22 734 Hard polymer-elastomer combinations, 24 700, 708... 

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), 9 565-566, 24 695-720 applications for, 24 709-717 based on block copolymers, 24 697t based on graft copolymers, ionomers, and structures with core-shell morphologies, 24 699 based on hard polymer/elastomer combinations, 24 699t based on silicone rubber blends, 24 700 commercial production of, 24 705-708 economic aspects of, 24 708-709 elastomer phase in, 24 703 glass-transition and crystal melting temperatures of, 24 702t hard phase in, 24 703-704 health and safety factors related to, 24 717-718... 

BakeUte Polymer produced by the condensation of phenol and formaldehyde, cellulose Naturally occurring carbohydrate polymer, elastomer Rubber. 

TPE hard polymer [ELASTOMERS SYNPPiETIC - TPiERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS] (Vol 9) -WVTRof [BARRIERPOLYMERS] (Vol 3)... 

SB Butyl Polymers - [ELASTOMERS, SYNTHETIC - BUTYL RUBBER] (Vol 8)... 

---