Chris Newman

MPG Rubber Conference 2016 16th May 2016

Lancashire County Cricket Ground

Thermoplastic elastomers in extreme environments

Characteristics of TPEs

Advantages of TPEs:

- low-cost and easy processing (injection moulding, extrusion or extrusion blow moulding)

- high dimensional requirements can be met

- excellent elastomeric properties (shore A5 to D75)

- easy to colour, transparent TPEs are also available

- can be modified with standard additives (such as UV and FR stabiliser),

- recyclable

- form secure polar bonds with a wide range of thermoplastic (PP, PA, PC, ABS, PA6, SAN, ASA, PMMA, PBT, PET, POM) and metal materials

Extreme environments include:

- a wide temperature range (hot and cold),

- performance under high and repeated mechanical loads,

- good resistance to chemicals, hydrolysis, swelling in oil and water and microbes.

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ALBIS UK

DISTRIBUTION

TPU

DESMOPAN

TPE-SEBS

EVOPRENE

SOLPLAST

TPC-ET

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OWN COMPOUNDS

TPV

A specialist in engineering thermoplastic raw material supply with technical knowhow in application development

Thermoset rubbers set the bar high

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Thermoset rubbers set the bar high; thermoplastic elastomers

generally come into consideration when factors such as

compromised requirements, design and “manufacturability“

permit.

Vehicle tyre – Not a candidate for TPEs anytime soon

- Wear resistance

- UV Light resistance

- Mechanical demands

- Thermal demands

TPE & Thermoset rubber: essential difference (1/2)

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Thermoset rubber

The thermoset elastomeric nature arises

principally from the 3D network generated

from vulcanisation.

Mutliblock copolymer TPEs

Elastomeic properties are achieved with from

rubbery “domains” formed from soft segments

within the block copolymer structure when the

material cools from the melt.

In the case of “Blend TPEs” (including TPVs)

the microstructure possesses fine scale

rubbery domains which may or may not be

cross-linked.

TPE & Thermoset rubber: essential difference

(2/2)

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Other Key Differences

• Vulcanisation permits retention of mechanical properties over a large temperature range.

• Also with thermosets, chemical resistance can be enhanced.

• Mass production – With TPEs the absence of a vulcanisation step permits the use of high volume processing techniques (injection moulding, extrusion).

• However, design needs to fit within process constraints. Eg Thermoset – thick-sections possible. TPEs –impractical.

• TPEs capability is generally tuned at a reactor stage and not through formulation design.

Desmopan TPU

Key characteristics

• No plasticisers – variety of chemistries to suit application (ester, ether-ester, ether, carbonates, aliphatics)

• Shore A 60 to D75

• Injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding

• Flexible high-performance thermoplastic material

• Excellent abrasion and wear resistance

• Good hydrolysis resistance

• High mechanical strength, high stiffness

• Highly transparent grades

• 2K on PC, PC/ABS, ABS, PA, PC blends,

• Nice dry touch

• Grades with improved microbial resistance

• Temperature range: -40°C to 120°C, dependent on grade

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TPU case study: automotive suspension component

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• Automotive – Extrusion blow moulded grades

• Desmopan “Ester type“

Benefits

• Resists buckling and needs wear resistance under high dynamic loads

• Oil / Grease resistance over service temperature -30°C to 120°C

TPU Case study: Elevator and timing belts

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• Building and Construction – Elevator and Timing belts

• Desmopan® grades (ester and carbonate series) consist of TPU and high strength steel vs Aramid fibres

• DP.3392A, DP.3395A, 392 and 790

Benefits

• 2x lifecycle compared to steel rope

• Corrosion free

• Longer maintenance interval

• Outstanding bonding to metals

• Less wear with optimised bearing pairs

• Low noise level

• Very high tensile strength

TPV properties

• PP+EPDM

• Shore A35 to D50

• Natural, black, coloured

• Temperature range -40 °C to 125 °C (short term to 150 °C)

• Good resistance to grease, oil, acids, solvents

• Good ozone, UV and weathering resistance

• Processable by injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding

• Easy flow grades available very good flow properties and UV resistance

• Tailor-made compounds available

• Nylon 6 and 66 (up to 30% glass filled) bondable grades available

• Automotive emissions approvals for interior use

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TPV Case Study: High heat under bonnet

environment

• Automotive – Blow Moulding application air ducts

• ALFATER XL D50E 2GP 0000 BLACK

Benefits

• Heat Aging Resistance

• 160°C for 300 hours and 150°C for 1,000 hours

• Superior to thermoplastic copolyesters in cyclic loading

Clean air intake

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Automotive – Blow Moulding application air ducts

ALFATER XL D50E 2GP 0000 BLACK

TPV Case Study: High heat under bonnet

environment

Case Study: Sipolprene Copolyester

Elastomer

• D35 to D75 Shore Hardness

• Excellent resistance to mechanical stress

• Operating temperatures -50 deg C to 150 deg C (Melt temperatures up to 220 deg C)

• Suitable for compounding feedstock

• UV, heat and hydrolysis stabilised versions available

• Low medium and high flow grades available

• Good chemical resistance

• Forms secure bonds with PS, ABS, PC, PBT and PVC

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Power transmission flange

ALBIS TPEs: table of properties

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Material PropertiesTestmethod ALFATERXL TPV Evoprene TPS (SEBS) Solplast TPS (SEBS) Desmopan TPU Sipolprene TPC

Shore Hardness ISO 868 A35 to D50 A5 to D60 A5 to D60 A60 to D75 D27 to D72Abrasion resistance DIN 53516 fair fair fair excellent excellent

Bonds to PP, PAPC, ABS, PA6, SAN, ASA, PMMA PBT, PET, POM

ABS, PP, PVC, PA, PA 6, PS, PMMA, POM, EVA

PA, PS, ABS, POM, PC, PBT, PVC

PA, PS, ABS, PC, PET, PBT, PVC, ASA

Density ISO 1183 0.92 - 0.97 g/cm3 0.88 - 1.20 g/cm3 0.90 - 1.20 g/cm3 1.06 - 1.24 g/cm3 1.1 - 1.25 g/cm3

Flame retardancy / UL Listing UL 94 HB V-0 @ 1.5mm - 3mm V2, HBHydrolysis resistance excellent excellent excellent Ether grades excellent fairChemical resistance (Oil / Fat) fair fair fair excellent excellentChemical resistance (Acids/Cleaning products) excellent excellent excellent fair fairCompression set ISO 815 excellent excellent excellent good goodUV stable available available available available availableOzone stable excellent excellent excellent excellent excellentResistance to hot air / maximum operating temperature 135 °C 125 °C 125 °C 120 °C 150 °CMinimum operating temperature / freezing conditions -40 °C -50 °C -50 °C -40 °C -50 °CLow emissions / low fogging available available available availableOdour (-free) available available availableRecyclability

Colourability

Microbial resistance excellent excellent excellent excellent fairTransparent materials available? No Yes Yes Yes No

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Tel: +44 (0) 1565 755777 | Fax +44 (0) 1565 755196

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