Copolyester elastomers (COPE) are high performance thermoplastic elastomers. The sensitivity of COPE to photo-oxidation restricts their broad use in applications requiring UV stability. These would include injection molded applications such as interior automotive or exterior use animal identification tags, extruded film for insulation barriers, or monofilament for automotive seating fabric, high end office suspension fabric seating or outdoor furniture. Conventional copolyester elastomers become brittle upon UV exposure. For example, some commercial monofilament can lose 95% of its initial ductility after only 500 kJ/m2 exposure to SAE J1960 exterior Xenon test method. Advances in stabilization have allowed monofilament to be produced to maintain 100% of its ductility even after 2,000 kJ/m2 exposure. This paper will review the advances in UV stabilization of COPE and potential uses for this new material.
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