Exploring the influence of electron beam crosslinking in SEBS/TPU and SEBS‐g‐MA/TPU thermoplastic elastomer blends

Abstract

The effects of electron beam (EB) radiation in thermoplastic elastomers based on SEBS/TPU and SEBS‐g‐MA/TPU are evaluated. 60/40 blend of both the systems were subjected to EB using an ILU type industrial accelerator. Radiation dose was varied from 0 to 100 kGy, and the sol–gel content evaluation along with detailed analysis of mechanical, thermal, rheological, and morphological implications was conducted. The interplay between crosslinking and chain scission was quantified using the Charlesby‐Pinner equation. Both the blends showed the presence of a three‐dimensional cross‐linked network in them after the irradiation. The tensile strength of SEBS/TPU was found to deteriorate with an increase in radiation dose, but an opposite trend was observed in SEBS‐g‐MA/TPU. Improvement in interfacial adhesion between SEBS‐g‐MA and TPU was confirmed. The morphological analysis through atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy clearly showed the appearance of rough ridges and pits due to irradiation along with the cross‐linked networks. From differential scanning calorimetry analysis, the changes in glass transitions and melting endotherm were assessed. Thermogravimetric analysis results indicated an improvement in the thermal stability of the blends. The storage modulus and complex viscosity of the samples enhanced as perceived from the rheological measurements. X‐ray diffraction patterns of the blends also showed considerable variation after irradiation.

Effect of multidimensional filler hybridization on the mechanical properties of thermoplastic polyurethane composites prepared by selective laser sintering

“…2 In addition aerospace, apparel design, electrical and electronic, medical and sports applications have an increasing demand and requirement for flexible materials. [3][4][5][6] Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a semicrystalline polymer between plastic and rubber with good water resistance, ductility, as well as excellent biocompatibility and wear resistance, [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] where TPU composites are divided into hard segment molecular chains and soft segment molecular chains, where the hard segment determines the strength of the material and the soft segment determines the toughness of the material. It can prepare structures with high flexibility, excellent processing and molding capabilities, and other characteristics, and is gaining more and more attention as a flexible material for uses such as wearable devices, 14,15 energy-absorbing structures, 2,16,17 and medical materials.…”

Effect of β‐nucleating agents on the crystallization behavior and force‐electric properties of the polypropylene blends

“…For example, styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS), styrenic block copolymers (SBS), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), polyolefin elastomer (POE) and other elastomers blended with PP materials to improve the matrix toughness has also been widely proven. [9][10][11][12] Among them, POE materials have excellent electrical properties, processing properties, and heat and cold resistance properties, which are favored by scholars. 13,14 As a semi-crystalline thermoplastic material with high crystallinity, the crystallization behavior of polypropylene has a close correlation with the macroscopic force-electric properties of the material, and changing the crystallization behavior of polypropylene is bound to have an obvious effect on the properties of polypropylene.…”

“…To address such problems, the industry usually uses the addition of elastomers to form blends with polypropylene to improve the PP and elastomers have been widely studied. For example, styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS), styrenic block copolymers (SBS), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), polyolefin elastomer (POE) and other elastomers blended with PP materials to improve the matrix toughness has also been widely proven 9–12 . Among them, POE materials have excellent electrical properties, processing properties, and heat and cold resistance properties, which are favored by scholars 13,14 …”

The Development of a New Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)-Modified Asphalt

“…Styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), which is very widely used, is one of the so-called "TPE" materials, or thermoplastic elastomers [6]. Waste rubber and plastic can now be used to change asphalt thanks to advancements in polymer chemistry technology, which have led to steady advances in this field [7]. Especially in the field of additive reinforcement, stability, and uniform dispersion, the development of materials that have not been successfully explored in the past, has now provided better application conditions.…”