Thermoplastic Elastomers

Types of Thermoplastic Elastomers

• TPE materials are categorized into thermoplastic olefin (TPO), thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR), thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), styrene block copolymer (SBC), polyether block amide (PEBA), and copolyester (COPE) - [1]. This is a study of recycling rubber powder with plastics to make rubbery plastics.
  • Thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) - Rubber blends with plastic - [2]. Thermoplastic is better as it is recyclable. Thermoplastic natural rubber is a blend of natural rubber and thermoplastic. All kinds of mixes of rubbers with thermoplastics are possible - providing the advatages of both materials in one. Toughness and flex of rubbers, with thermoplasticity (recyclability) of thermoplastics.
  • Thermoplastic vulcanizate - mix of EPDM in popypropylene - [3]
  • Thermoplastic olefins - thermoplastic, filler, thermoset rubber blends.
  • Copolyester - once again, blend of rubber and polyster. Hytrel is an example - gasket or seal material. [4]
  • Styrene block copolymer - ex. Kraton - [5]
  • PEBA - [6]. Good for catheters.

More

• Natural thermoplastic - gutta-percha - [7]
• Latex - in rubber tree or dandelion root; many plants have latex, only some have rubber latex. Guayule, dandelion have been used commercially - [8]

Notes on Tires

• Air free tires - Bridgestone - [9]
• Recycled rubber can be mixed with thermoplastics or TPEs to extend the thermoplastic by giving it more rubber properties.
• Flat-free bike tires from TPE - [10] & [11]
• TPU tire - [12]
• TPE made from HDPE and ground tires with compatibilizer - [13]

Terms

• Copolymer - [14]