{"id":13695,"date":"2025-10-28T09:08:23","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T05:38:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/behinpolymerco.com\/thermoplastic-elastomers-part-two\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T10:55:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T07:25:20","slug":"thermoplastic-elastomers-part-two","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/behinpolymerco.com\/en\/thermoplastic-elastomers-part-two\/","title":{"rendered":"Thermoplastic Elastomers – Part Two"},"content":{"rendered":"

Abstract<\/p>\n

The first part of the article presents thermoplastic elastomers in terms of their structure, properties, and applications, as well as their potential as a replacement for conventional rubber. The second part of this article examines the types of thermoplastic elastomers and their properties and applications. <\/p>\n

Introduction<\/p>\n

Thermoplastic polymers have unique properties such as low density, high chemical resistance, and heat resistance, and can be manufactured using conventional processing methods. On the other hand, rubbers have many applications due to their elastomeric properties such as good tear strength, impact resistance, and flexibility. When these two materials are combined, they create a synergistic effect and offer properties between the two categories. These materials are known as thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs). Thermoplastic elastomer polymers consist of more than one phase, which includes: (1) a semi-crystalline thermoplastic phase and (2) an elastomeric phase. Today, various types of TPEs are produced and used commercially, the classification of which is shown in Figure 1.<\/p>\n

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Figure 1: Types of commercial thermoplastic elastomers <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Basic properties of thermoplastic elastomers<\/h2>\n

Thermoplastic elastomers always have three basic characteristics:
\n1. Ability to stretch moderately and then return to its original shape after stress is removed: These materials can be stretched to a moderate extent and return to close to their original shape after stress is removed.
\n2. Ability to be processed in melt form at high temperatures: Thermoplastic elastomers can be processed in melt form at high temperatures.
\n3. No significant creep: These materials do not have significant creep.<\/p>\n

3. Thermoplastic elastomer production process<\/h2>\n

Thermoplastic elastomers can be produced by a variety of processes, these materials are produced by copolymerizing two or more monomers through either block or graft copolymerization methods. In block copolymerization, long chain molecules with different sequences, or blocks, are created from hard and soft segments. In graft copolymerization, one polymer chain is linked to another as a side branch.
\nThese methods cause one of the monomers to form a hard or crystalline segment that acts as a thermally stable component. Unlike the chemical bonds between polymer chains in conventional thermoset rubbers, this segment softens and flows under shear. Meanwhile, the other monomer forms a soft or amorphous segment that contributes to the rubbery properties of the thermoplastic elastomer. Varying the ratio of monomers used, as well as the lengths of the hard and soft segments, allows for control over the properties of the final thermoplastic elastomer.
\nIn addition to block and graft copolymerization methods, dynamic vulcanization, mechanical blending, esterification, polycondensation, transesterification, etc. are also other methods for synthesizing thermoplastic elastomers. <\/p>\n

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Figure 2: Chemical morphology of thermoplastic elastomers <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. Thermoplastic elastomer processing<\/h2>\n

Thermoplastic elastomers are usually produced in the form of granules and are ultimately processed. Thermoplastic elastomers can be processed by co-injection and co-extrusion with polyolefins and some engineering plastics and show excellent bonding with engineering polyamide polymers. <\/p>\n

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Figure 3: Thermoplastic elastomer processing equipment<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5. Classification of thermoplastic elastomers<\/h2>\n

This section describes the six commercial categories of thermoplastic elastomers:
\n1.5. Thermoplastic styrene block copolymers (TPS, TPE-S)
\nTPE-S materials, also known as thermoplastic styrene block copolymer elastomers, are derived from SBS or SEBS. SBS is based on block copolymers with hard and soft segments. The styrene end blocks provide the thermoplastic properties and the butadiene mid blocks provide the elastomeric properties of SBS. Probably the most widely used thermoplastic elastomers produced are TPSs and are typically used in the production of footwear, adhesives and sealants, where chemical and aging resistance are not important.
\nWhen SBS is hydrogenated, it is converted to SEBS, as the removal of the C=C bonds in the butadiene component creates ethylene and butylene in the midblock. SEBS is characterized by improved heat resistance, mechanical properties, and chemical resistance.
\n< 0 >Figure 4: Schematic of TPS structure
\nTPE-S Features<\/p>\n