Thermoplastic elastomers future

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. 

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. 

We are continuing to explore the scope and limitations of phase-selective crosslinking reactions in thermoplastic elastomers and related materials. The results of these investigat ions will be reported in a future publication. 

Legge, N. R., G. Holden and H. Schroeder (eds.), Thermoplastic Elastomers, A Comprehensive Review , Oxford University Press, New York, 1988. Structure, properties and future trends are emphasized in the chapters each written by researchers who have contributed significantly to the science. 

In the more distant future, some other synthetic processes will be applied to TPEs, such as the carbon-carbon polycondensations catalyzed by metal derivatives [193,194] or the use of enzymatic catalysis in organic media [195]. The bacterial polymers are of great interest as organic materials, such as the poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates), which are potential thermoplastic elastomers. The... 

Polycondensation Reactions in Thermoplastic Elastomer Chemistry State of the Art, Trends, and Future Developments... 

The great majority of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) are copolymers associating soft and hard blocks, such as polyamide- -polyethers, poly urethane-6-polyethers, or polyether-6-polyesters. However, polymers with less classical structures, such as liquid crystalline copolymers or block copolymers based on supramolecular segments, are the subject of extensive research and will probably be commercialized in the near future. 

The first part of this chapter is a critical review of the various techniques of polycondensation used in the preparation of block copolymers [2]. It is followed by an analysis of the research trends and future, and the developments of polycondensation reactions leading to the obtaining of thermoplastic elastomers. 

This book covers the chemical aspects, physical structure and properties, application opportunities, life cycle assessment, recycling possibilities, and the future trends of the three classes of thermoplastic elastomers. 

What will the future bring Certainly whilst the use of curable rubbers may grow as more of the world becomes developed, it will not grow at the same rate as the usage of elastomeric materials generally. Thermoplastic elastomers, as their properties are improved, will replace eurable elastomers in many areas currently the preserve of the cured materials. 

Among the contrarians, Bayer has had for historical reasons a different approach to the problem of remaining a well-rounded producer of chemicals. It has always been a leader in such specialty chemicals as plastics and rubber additives and supplies master batches through its subsidiary Rhein Chemie. Its polymers are mainly centered on synthetic elastomers and specialty plastics like polyurethanes and polycarbonates that Bayer itself develops. These are not subjected to the cutthroat competition that commodity thermoplastics are. Bayer has remained involved in aroma chemicals with a well-known subsidiary, Haarmann Reimer. In pharmaceuticals the company occupies an honorable rank, although in the future its management may want to separate that branch from the rest of its activities in preparation for further alliances. Like BASF, Bayer considers its agrochemical line as a core business. However, unlike BASF, it is less interested in integrating upstream production to oil raw... 

This book focuses on bio-based plastics. It emphasizes materials that are presently in use or that show a significant potential for future applications. It presents a broad, up-to-date but concise overview of basic and applied aspects of bioplastics. The main focus is on thermoplastic polymers for material use. Elastomers, thermosets and coating applications, Uke, for example, natural rubber or alkyd resins, will be covered in other volumes of the series. 

Elastomeric PPs are a new class of materials with a higher thermal stability than polyethylenes and a good elasticity without crosslinking. Elastomeric PPs have a low abrasion resistance and a high resilience at small elongations. Futhermore, new foamed materials based on thermoplastic olefmic elastomers (TPO) are important for the future. TPO consists of 50% of polypropylene and completes the range of PP foams for elastomeric foam applications. 

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