The term thermoplastic elastomer covers a broad array of product formulations. Mechanical blends of polyolefin and rubber (TP-O), cross-linked oil extended rubber dispersed in a polyolefin matrix (TP-V), and block co-polymers such as SEBS and TPU among others are all thermoplastic elastomers. One commonality among each of these TPE’s is that they can and are commercially produced via a continuous compounding, reactive compounding, or polymerization compounding process using a co-rotating twin-screw extruder. However, the design requirements for the twin-screw compounders in each of the above noted processes can be very different. Among the several TPE species mentioned previously, there are a wide range of unit operations as well as process parameters that are required in order successfully manufacture each product. All these variables have to be optimized in a particular sequenced combination in order to process a wide range of products.
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