THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS - Softer Group

IntroductionThe term elastomer is generically used to mean naturalor synthetic materials that have the chemico-physicalproperties of the caoutchouc, or natural rubber. The mostdistinctive characteristic of elastomers is the ability towithstand large elastic elongation (i.e. 200%) and return totheir original dimension when the stress is released.A Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) combinesthe rubber-like properties of a thermoset elastomerand the processing characteristics of a thermoplastic.Thermoplastics hardness rangeThis is possible because TPE is composed of two phases:a soft phase, which provides elastic properties, and ahard phase which represents the thermoplastic segmentand provides processing ease and full recyclability to thematerial.Thermoplastic Elastomers can be modelled in the desiredshapes by means of the classical processing technologiesused for plastic materials: the most common are injectionmoulding, extrusion and blow moulding.TPE comparison chart*PIBIFLEX® FORPRENE® LAPRENE® SOFPRENE T® FORFLEX®Polymerbase polymer TPC TPV TPE-S (SEBS) TPE-S (SBS) TPOProcessing technologyinjection moulding • • • • •extrusion • • • • •blow moulding • • •rotational moulding/slush • •Technical characteristicshardness range 25D ÷ 70D 20A ÷ 60D 2A ÷ 60D 25A ÷ 40D 80A ÷ 65Dlow temperature limit -45 °C -40 °C -50 °C -50 °C -40 °Chigh temperature limit (continuous) 150 °C 130 °C 120 °C 60 °C 70 °CAdhesion on polymers0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90Shore Aadhesion (standard grades)adhesion (special grades)PC, PC/PBT, PC/ABS,PBT, EVA, SEBS, TPUPP PP PP PPABS, PC, PC/ABS,PA6, PA66, PMMA,TPU, PBT, TPC, PS.PSAgeing20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90Shore DUV ageing, weathering resistanceChemical resistancehydrocarbons50 20 80 40 110 60140 80ì 170Rockwell Roilsgreasesaqueous fluidsTPE-S StyrenicsdetergentsacidsbasesNatural rubberssalt solutionsThermoplastic VulcanizatesPolyuretanesSpecial Gradesflame retardant grades • • •traslucent grades • • • •low fogging grades • • • •non staining grades • • • • •food contact grades • • • • •ThermoplasticCopolyesterPlasticsMain ApplicationsAUTOMOTIVE AUTOMOTIVE BUILDING, APPLIANCES FURNISHING BUILDINGINDUSTRIAL APPLIANCES SPORTS &LEISURE HOUSEWARE INDUSTRIALSPORTS BUILDING AUTOMOTIVE AUTOMOTIVE*For more information about Pibiflex® see dedicated brochure.2 3