Thermoplastic elastomers polyether-based

Examples of vulcanizable elastomers include natural rubber (NR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), butadiene rubber (BR), ethylene-propylene-diene monomer-rubber (EPDM), butyl rubber (HR), polychloroprene or neoprene (CR), epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO), polyacrylate rubber (ACM), millable polyurethane rubber, silicone rubber, and flu-oroelastomers. Examples of thermoplastic elastomers include thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers, styrenic thermoplastic elastomers, polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyether-ester (copolyester) elastomers, and thermoplastic elastomers based on polyamides. 

Among the polyurethane, polyester, and polyamide thermoplastic elastomers, those with polyether-based elastomer segments have better hydrolytic stabihty and low temperature flexibiUty, whereas polyester-based analogues are tougher and have the best oil resistance (43). Polycaprolactones and aUphatic polycarbonates, two special types of polyesters, are used to produce premium-grade polyurethanes (12). 

Table 6. Trade Names of Multiblock Thermoplastic Elastomers Based on Polyurethane/Elastomer, Polyether/Elastomer, and Polyamide/Elastomer Block Copolymers...

Polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (Section 27.4). 

Thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers have now been available for many years (and were described in the first edition of this book). The adipate polyester-based materials have outstanding abrasion and tear resistance as well as very good resistance to oils and oxidative degradation. The polyether-based materials are more noted for their resistance to hydrolysis and fungal attack. Rather specialised polymers based on polycaprolactone (Section 25.11) may be considered as premium grade materials with good all round properties. 

Whilst approximately twice the raw material cost of TPO- and S-B-S-type polymers, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers find applications where abrasion resistance and toughness are particular requirements. Uses include gears, timing and drive belts, footwear (including ski boots) and tyre chains. Polyether-based materials have also achieved a number of significant medical applications. There is also some minor use as hot melt adhesives, particularly for the footwear industry. 

PEBA exhibit a two-phase (crystalline and amorphous) structure and can be classified as a flexible nylon. Physical, chemical, and thermal properties can be modified by appropriate combination of different amounts of polyamide and polyether blocks [149], Hydrophilic PEBAs can be prepared which can have specific applications in medical devices. Similarly to other thermoplastic elastomers, the poiyamide-based ones find applications in automotive components, sporting goods conveyor belting, adhesives, and coatings [150]. In recent years the world consumption was approximately 6400 tons per year with about 80% in Western Europe and the rest equally split between the United States and Japan [143],... 

Thermoplastic elastomers are most commonly formulated from elastomeric polyurethane or block copolymers of polystyrene-elastomer, polyamide-elastomer, or polyether-elastomer bases. Thermoplastic elastomers are provided as a raw material in pelletized form for subsequent compounding. The internal domain structure that is required for thermoplastic-elastomeric performance has been established by specific considerations of blending and structural-chemical interactions. In compounding operations, specific temperature ranges are required to assure that phase separation does not occur in the TPE base polymer. 

PEI Polyether imide TPU Polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomer... 

Classification Thermoplastic elastomer Definition Polymer consistg. of hard segments embedded in a soft, elastomeric polyol phase exc. abrasion/impact resist. high str. wide working temp, range good hydrolytic stability two types polyether- or polyester-based Properties Solid... 

Chin Han Chan, PhD, is an associate professor at the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA [MARA University of Technology) in Selangor, Malaysia. She has received many research grants, has published many articles in professional journals, has published chapters in books, and has presented at many professional conferences. Her field of interest includes epoxidized natural rubber-based nanostructured blends, thermoplastic elastomer, biodegradable polyester/polyether blends, and solid polymer electrolytes. 

She has pnbhshed more than 45 papers in intematiorral and national refereed journals, more than 60 publications in conference proceedings, and more than 20 invited lectures for international conferences. She has been one of the editors of Malaysian Journal of Chemistry, Berita IKM- Chemistry in Malaysia, and books pnbhshed by Royal Society of Chemistry entitled Natural Rubber Materials, Volume 1 Blends and IPNs and Volume 2 Composites and Nanocomposites. She peer-reviews a few international journals on polymer science. Her research interest is devoted to modified natural rabber-based thermoplastic elastomers, biodegradable polyester/polyether blends, and solid polymer electrolytes... 

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. 

The thermoplastic elastomer polyurethanes, TPU, may be of two general types partly crystalline elastic fibers (see preceding paragraph) or softer elastomers, depending on the relative length of the soft segment. Those polyurethanes based on polyester soft segments tend to be more resistant to hydrocarbons, while the polyether types are more resistant to hydrolysis but tend to swell more in aqueous environments (144). The block copolymer characteristics of polyurethanes are discussed further in Chapter 13. 

The most important examples of thermoplastic elastomers include TPE-0 (polyolefin-based TPE), TPE-A (polyether(ester)-block-amide), TPE-E (copolyester-based TPE), TPE-S (styrene copolymer-based TPE), and TPU (polyurethane-based TPE). 

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]. 

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