Thermoplastic Olefins TPO

The use of thermoplastic olefins or TPOs is growing at a faster rate than the styrenic block copolymers (SBC) just discussed, or the thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs), which are discussed in the next section. The TPO growth rate is currently about 10% annually worldwide. Unlike the SBCs, certain TPOs can sometimes be used at higher service temperatures. Unlike the TPVs (which are derived through dynamic vulcanization), the TPOs are usually used uncured or are only very slightly vulcanized, if at all. This means that the TPOs are usually less costly than the TPVs. The TPOs have been very successful in the automotive industry in replacing the soft polyvinyl chloride compounds used in car interiors. TPOs are commonly available in softness ranges from 60 Shore A to 60 Shore D. A major use for TPOs is in the manufacture of automotive fascias, where appearance is very important. 

The new metallocene ethylene elastomer TPOs now used in the automotive industry possess better low-temperature impact properties and better lifetime durability than soft vinyl plastic. Some new proprietary ethylene-octene copolymer elastomers are being used as TPOs as well, and a new introduction of an ethylene-butene copolymer has been made as well. 

TPOs are ultimately dependent on propylene, ethylene, and, where slight crosslinking is required, ethylidenenorbornene. These are the feedstocks for polypropylene and EPDM. 

Ethylidenenorbornene (ENB) is derived from the reaction of butadiene and cyclo-pentadiene, see Eigure 6.10. 

Teknor Apex Dow Chemical Mytex Polymers A. Schulman 

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Thermoplastic olefins (TPOs) have found increasing application in the automotive industry due to their competitive advantages over steel, such as low cost,... 

General Motors R D and Montell U.S.A. have developed thermoplastic olefin (TPO) clay nano composites with reduced weight and good dimensional stability for exterior automotive applications [24]. PE nanocomposites have also been made effectively by ethylene homo- and copolymerization in the presence of organoclays (see Chapter 5), catalyzed with methylalnminoxane (MAO)-activated zirconocene, nickel, and palladium catalysts [25]. 

Dallas, Tx., Spring 1998, p.20-1. 012 STEP SCAN PHOTOACOUSTIC FT-IR SPECTROSCOPY AND STRATIFICATION PROCESSES IN THERMOPLASTIC OLEFINS (TPO)... 

The majority of methods used for analysis of complex systems such as thermoplastic olefins (TPO) are... 

Starting in the 1980 s, a number of governmental recycling policies created a demand for recycled thermoplastic olefin (TPO) for post-consumer applications. Since polystyrenes and TPOs are not miscible, polystyrene-TPO diblock copolymers are being developed to reduce the interfacial tension in PS/TPO blends. TPOs are tough materials with low stififiiess properties. If blended with polystyrene, they improve the toughness of polystyrenes. If compatibilized, the properties of PS/TPO should be similar to styrene-hydrogenated polybutadiene rubbers. 

The nano-level dispersion of clay in thermoplastic olefin (TPO) polymer has potentially provided a platform for its use in automotive body panels of Volvo cars. The governing factors are light weight, consistent physical and mechanical properties, improved aesthetic appearance, improved wear resistance, and low temperature ductility. Recyclability of nano-clay incorporated thermoplastic olefin nanocomposites has provided an opportunity for their use in step assists and trim and panel in Hummer cars. 

This concept has been demonstrated by the work of Liu and Kontopoulou [45] and Bailly and Kontopoulou [27] on silica-reinforced thermoplastic olefins (TPOs). Their data have shown that when silica resides in the PP matrix, the improvements in Young s and flexural modulus are accompanied by unchanged or even slightly improved impact strength (Figure 2.12). The effects on impact properties were particularly beneficial when surface-modified silica (mSi02) was used. 

One of the problems with recychng automotive plastics is paint removal. This applies not only to end-of-life vehicles but also to thermoplastic olefin (TPO) painted parts, which have a high scrap rate. Polymer Sciences Inc. announced plans in late 1999 to build recycling facilities in Duncan, SC, and somewhere in Europe, using the company s mechanical process for stripping paint from TPO parts before they are gronnd and pelletized. However, the plant was not built, and the company now fists paint removal as a technology that it has available for sale or license. ... 

Let us first review the various thermoplastic elastomers used in automotive applications. These are styrenic block copolymers (SBCs), thermoplastic olefins (TPOs) (cross-linked... 

A. Maani, M.-C. Heuzey, P.J. Carreau, Coalescence in thermoplastic olefin (TPO) blends under shear flow. Rheol. Acta 50, 881-895 (2011)... 

Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). Ethylene propylene diene monomer is used in thermoplastic olefin (TPO) for automotive bumpers and parts as well as scattered consumer durable markets. 

Thermoplastic olefin (TPO) compositions typically consist of an immiscible blend of an isotactic polypropylene mixed with a polyolefin elastomer that acts as an impact modifier. It is possible to toughen these compositions further by using ethylene-propylene, ethylene-octene or ethylene-hexene impact modifiers. 

Keywords cable, sheathing, jacketing, insulation, telecommunication cable, power cable, electrical insulation, thermoplastic olefins, TPO, EPR, EPDM, dielectric properties, flammability, water-treeing. 

Fabrics used as support are coated PVC, acryhc fabrics, glass fibre-based fabrics, thermoplastic olefin (TPO) fabrics, or structures coated by polyvinyl fluoride. 

TPEs which are prepared by physical blending of an elastomer with a thermoplastic. Such TPEs are categorized into two types depending on rubber vulcanization (i) thermoplastic olefins (TPOs) or thermoplastic elastomer polyolefins (TEOs) (ii) thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs). 

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