Comparison of Soft Thermoplastic Elastomers with Vulcanized Rubbers

摘要

During recent years several new Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs) have been introduced onto the market. The objective of the project was to investigate the possibilities and the limitations of these new soft TPE-materials in cooperation with the material suppliers. The test results show that the properties of the new soft TPEs are getting closer to those of vulcanized rubbers. The testing was carried out at the Swedish National Testing Institute during 1986 and 1987. The project was sponsored by 12 rubber manufacturers and 5 raw material suppliers. Physical properties, visco-elastic properties, thermal properties and durability properties were tested in several ways at different temperatures according to international standards.