Thermoplastic elastomer

The benefit of using thermoplastic elastomers is the ability to stretch to moderate elongations and return to its near original shape creating a longer life and better physical range than other materials.

The styrene-butadiene materials possess a two-phase microstructure due to incompatibility between the polystyrene and polybutadiene blocks, the former separating into spheres or rods depending on the exact composition.

Generally they offer a much wider range of properties than conventional cross-linked rubbers because the composition can vary to suit final construction goals.

One exception to the rule of incompatibility is the material Noryl, where polystyrene and polyphenylene oxide or PPO form a continuous blend with one another.

Depending on the block length, the domains are generally more stable than the latter owing to the higher crystal melting point.

Hence, batch-to-batch variations in weighting and metering components are absent, leading to improved consistency in both raw materials and fabricated articles.

[8] TPEs are also widely used for catheters where nylon block copolymers offer a range of softness ideal for patients.

Thermoplastic silicone and olefin blends are used for extrusion of glass run and dynamic weatherstripping car profiles.

Thermoplastics have experienced growth in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry due to the function, cost effectiveness and adaptability to modify plastic resins into a variety of covers, fans and housings.