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Performance benefits of TPE inter‐material substitution using metallocene ethylene elastomers
Author(s) -
Weaver Laura B.,
Vercuski Phil,
Waszeciak Doug
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of vinyl and additive technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.295
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1548-0585
pISSN - 1083-5601
DOI - 10.1002/vnl.20019
Subject(s) - thermoplastic elastomer , elastomer , materials science , thermoplastic , compounding , thermoforming , composite material , durability , polymer science , ethylene vinyl acetate , ethylene , polymer , copolymer , organic chemistry , catalysis , chemistry
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are one of the fastest‐growing segments of the plastic compounding market and are projected to grow at an annual rate of 5%–6% (1). By offering additional options and benefits on the price‐performance curve, thermoplastic olefins (TPOs) are expected to grow at higher rates than many styrenics and thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) in automotive, durables and construction market sectors. Traditionally, these markets initially specify materials that may be over‐engineered in an application to ensure they fully meet the required properties. Over time, however, specifiers are often forced to shift their focus to reduce costs via new material substitution, provided they can continue to meet the required properties. Likewise, inter‐material substitution is a common trend based on the product delivering improved performance over the incumbent material at comparable costs, such as the movement to replace f‐PVC compounds with soft TPOs in automotive interior thermoformed sheeting. The soft TPOs based on metallocene ethylene elastomers offer improved cold‐temperature‐impact performance, lower part weight, and extended lifetime durability over f‐PVC at essentially the same part cost. This paper offers a comparison of emerging soft TPO compounds based on metallocene ethylene elastomers with styrene tri‐block polymer (SEBS), TPVs and f‐PVC compounds. J. Vinyl Addit. Technol. 10:129–136, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.