TPE Magazine 02/2019 is out now!

Data Source：Dr. Gupta Verlags GmbH  15. May 2019

TPE Magazine 02/2019 is out now!

Learn more about latest global TPE market trends reported by Smithers Rapra and IAL Consultants. The TPE Magazine team is especially pleased to publish in this issue some of the latest research results from Goodyear Medalist and “Rubber City Girl” Judit Puskas about filler interaction in TPE composites. Experts from Kraiburg TPE introduce low emission compounds for automotive interiors. Günter Scholz from BASF shares new aspects on TPEs with us. And last but not least – read a summary of the meeting of Germany’s TPE network TPE-Forum at the premises of the Leibniz-Institute for Polymer Research in Dresden.

Technical articles in this issue:

• New aspects on thermoplastic elastomers
  G. Scholz (BASF Polyurethanes GmbH)
  Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) are elastomeric materials based on a co-polymer with a crystalline or amorphous solid phase and a flexible soft phase or an olefinic polymer compound of a rigid and an elastomeric polymer. When characterizing TPE the elasticity seems to be a self-evident aspect. In this study we present a basic approach to learn more about the elastomeric behaviour of TPE. Furthermore we look at the current ISO nomenclature of TPE and identify optimization potential.

• Keeping emission and odor under control – Thermoplastic elastomers for automotive interior applications
  A. Dörner, F. Vetter and D. Mijolović (Kraiburg TPE GmbH & Co. KG)
  Sensitivity to emissions in automotive interiors has been a topic since the early 1980s. This was in particular caused by the formation of undesired condensation on the inside of windshields of new vehicles. As a result, the focus was initially on achieving specific fogging values. The requirements for interior components have been extended and have become more sophisticated over the years. Various analytical test standards were gradually developed to ensure compliance with emission standards. Odor has become a more critical issue for both automotive manufacturers and consumers. The general opinion on regional differences relating to the issue of odor, that has been expressed during conferences and meetings, coincides with Kraiburg TPE’s internal experiences: While odor, or rather the requirement to have no odor, has top priority in Asia, in Europe the focus is primarily on single substances and total emissions inside motor vehicles‘ cabins. In North America, the debate about odor and emission is led with lower dynamism. Due to the material properties of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), a wide variety of potential applications and cost-effective processing, these materials have developed rapidly since the 1990s. This is reflected in a large number of applications including components for automotive interiors. As a consequence, it was important for Kraiburg TPE to be able to meet the requirements of automotive manufacturers. A project was started more than three years ago to acquire comprehensive knowledge about emission and odor values of materials for automotive interiors and gain a thorough understanding of their influencing factors.

• Filler interaction in thermoplastic elastomer composites
  J. E. Puskas, C. Helfer (The Ohio State University), G. Kaszas (PolyFiberMatrix LLC) and A. T. McClain (The University of Akron)
  Multiphase block copolymer thermoplastic elastomers can be considered to be filled elastic networks. The stress-strain behaviour of such polymers can be described using the Guth-Gold equation relating the moduli to the hydrodynamic effects of the hard blocks that serve as physical crosslinks as well as filler nanoparticles. Block copolymers with sufficiently high molecular weight can be further reinforced with fillers. These composites are more complex due to the presence of these two different filler particles. Depending on the polymer-filler interaction, the additional filler may preferentially segregate into the discreet or continuous phase. This paper will investigate filler interaction in poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) (SIBS) based composites using the Guth-Gold equation.

• Sustainable pathway to plastic waste management – Safe incineration and energy extraction
  B. L. Kaul (MCA Technologies GmbH)
  Plastics are to be characterized as solid fuels, derived from combustible materials. The most logical procedure of their ultimate disposal should be by incineration in closed systems. In this process, it should be possible to generate useful energy as well. For a safe, environmentally friendly (generation of less pollutants, especially nitrogen oxides) and an efficient energy extraction during waste incineration, the combustion process needs to be conducted under controlled conditions, preferably at low temperatures. MCA Technologies GmbH in Switzerland has developed an environmentally friendly technology, which on one hand imparts a sustainable safety to plastics in the event of fire during their use, and on the other hand, ultimately enables their environmentally friendly disposal as waste, and thereby simultaneous generation of usable energy. The technology is also intended to safeguard against open waste burning of plastics practiced in many countries.

Further information about the new issue at https://www.gupta-verlag.com/magazines/tpe-magazine-international/02-2019.