Exploring the impact of UV-C radiation and UV-protective additives on SEBS thermoplastic materials

Binary polymer blends of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene (SEBS) are developed by varying the SEBS concentration from 1 to 10 wt%. The relation between the concentration of SEBS in HDPE and the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the resulting blends has been investigated. The physical properties almost remain unaffected by the addition of SEBS to HDPE. In mechanical characterization, a reduction in modulus is observed with each incremental addition of SEBS. Blends with 10% SEBS concentration reveal a nine fold increase in tensile elongation along with a 15.4% and 26.4% increase in room and low temperature impact resistance. In thermal characterization, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) of the polymer blends reveals a slight decline in thermal stability with increasing SEBS concentration. Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) declines sharply beyond 5 wt% SEBS concentration, thermograms obtained from Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) portray an increase in crystallinity till 5 wt% and then declines with further addition of SEBS. A temperature and composition dependent molecular mobility between the polymer phases is evident from Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). A transition from immiscible two phase droplet-matrix separation phase to a partially miscible morphology is evident from analysis under Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).

Magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) are a kind of smart materials which is mainly made up of matrix materials and magnetic particles. Its mechanical properties can be controlled under external magnetic field. In this study, the MREs based on natural rubber and a blend of natural rubber mixed with thermoplastic elastomer styrene (ethylene butylene) styrene (SEBS) were prepared respectively. The sample of MREs were prepared using conventional rubber-mixing technology. The changes of dynamic rheological properties, mechanical properties, and thermal stability were tested. The results showed that the MREs based on natural rubber/thermoplastic elastomer SEBS had better processability, higher zero modulus and MR effect than MREs based on natural rubber. The zero modulus and MR effect of MREs were increased after adding thermoplastic elastomer to natural rubber matrix. The thermal stability of MREs based on natural rubber/thermoplastic elastomer SEBS had no difference with MREs based on pure natural rubber. An internal structure that the sulphur connect the SEBS with natural rubber was proposed to describe the thermal stability of MREs based on natural rubber/thermoplastic elastomer SEBS.

Styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS) is a thermoplastic elastomer that has applications in robotics and shock absorption. Although SEBS as a bulk material as well as an additive to solid composites has been extensively studied, this work focuses on developing SEBS-based beads to enhance material elasticity. SEBS bead mixtures were developed by mixing SEBS elastomer, water, and surfactant (Triton X-100) at high temperature. Stability, rheology, and microscopy of SEBS bead mixtures were studied as a function of neat SEBS concentration in SEBS elastomer, SEBS elastomer concentration, and surfactant concentration. Resulting bead mixtures were classified as creamed, homogenous and stable, or aggregated based on the mixture’s tendency to separate into layers and its ability to disperse in excess water. Microscopic studies suggest that although bead mixtures exhibit size polydispersity, the average bead size is a strong function of neat SEBS, SEBS elastomer, and surfactant concentrations. Rheological studies suggest that all the bead mixtures exhibit shear thinning behavior, and the overall viscosity of a given bead mixture is a function of both SEBS elastomer and surfactant concentration. The developed SEBS elastic beads can be used as additives to enhance the viscoelastic properties of fluid-based systems such as magnetorheological and damping fluids.

As one of the most important thermoplastic elastomer materials, the application of styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS) in selective laser sintering (SLS) has not been reported. In this study, SEBS and polypropylene (PP) are blended and then pulverized at low temperatures. We find that SEBS with high molecular weight and styrene segment content is difficult to melt and flow under laser irradiation, which is not suitable for SLS 3D printing. SEBS with low molecular weight can be printed, and its tensile properties can reach 2.1Mpa and 134% elongation at break. We test the enhanced absorption effect of two different infrared absorbers and find that graphene (GE) can enhance absorption mainly rely on its special structure to increase the optical path of the laser. The absorption enhancement effect of each enhancer rises first and then decreases. 0.4‰ addition of GE can bring 22.5% enhancement. With the enhancement of GE, we get a product of 2.8 MPa tensile strength and 176% elongation at break.

Styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) melt-blown fibers for oil spill remediation and oil barrier geotextiles

Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most useful general purpose plastics. However, the poor transparency and brittleness of PP restricts its applications in the field of medical and personal care where silicone and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are presently used. This work concentrates on developing highly transparent elastomeric PP blends and also thermoplastic elastomer by blending isotactic polypropylene (I‐PP) with styrene/ethylene‐butylene/styrene (SEBS) triblock copolymer. PP/SEBS blend derived from high melt flow index (MFI) PP and high MFI SEBS exhibit remarkable transparency (haze value as low as 6%) along with good percentage of elongation and processability. The reduction in difference of refractive index (RI) between PP and SEBS has been observed by blending SEBS with PP. The wide angle X‐ray diffraction studies show that there is significant reduction in the percentage crystallinity of PP by the addition of SEBS block copolymer. Temperature‐dependent polarized light microscopy studies reveal the reduction in spherulites size by the addition of SEBS block copolymer. Transmission electron micrographs show that the SEBS polymer forms a fine lamellar structure throughout the PP matrix with phase inversion at higher SEBS concentration. Development of phase morphology, crystalline morphology, and crystallinity in different blends has been analyzed and microstructure‐haze correlations have been developed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers

Reducing the environmental impact is a key reason for developing recyclable insulation materials for high-voltage industries. In this study, polypropylene (PP) blends were prepared via melt mixing with styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS), a thermoplastic elastomer, to improve breakdown strengths at various cooling speeds. A systematic investigation was conducted to evaluate the influence of crystal size, degree of crystallinity, and nucleation growth rate on the breakdown strength. Crystallization behavior was analyzed using isothermal and non-isothermal methods based on the Avrami model. Increasing SEBS content reduced crystallinity, with the lowest nucleation growth rate observed at 35% SEBS. Breakdown strength correlated with crystallization behavior and was further validated by Weibull distribution method. Notably, PP/SEBS blends containing 35% SEBS exhibited the highest breakdown strength of 66.4 kV/mm at a cooling speed of 10 °C/mm. This improvement reflected a reduction in the degree of crystallinity from 36.0% to 22.9% and the lowest growth rate constant (k) at 35% SEBS. Furthermore, the predicted lifetime of PP/SEBS blend containing 35% SEBS, calculated using the oxidation induction time and the Arrhenius equation, was 42 years. These findings demonstrate that SEBS content and cooling rate effectively modulate crystallization and breakdown strength, enabling recyclable PP/SEBS with XLPE-comparable performance for sustainable high-voltage insulation.

Aiming to generate wealth from waste and due to their significant fire threats to forests and their rich cellulose content, lignocellulosic pine needle fibers (PNFs) are utilized in this study as a reinforcement of the thermoplastic elastomer styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS) matrix to create environmentally friendly and economical PNF/SEBS composites using a maleic anhydride-grafted SEBS compatibilizer. The chemical interaction in the composites studied by FTIR shows that strong ester bonds are formed between reinforcing PNF, the compatibilizer, and the SEBS polymer, leading to strong interfacial adhesion between the PNF and SEBS in the composites. This strong adhesion in the composite exhibits higher mechanical properties than the matrix polymer indicating a 1150 % higher modulus and a 50 % higher strength relative to the matrix. Further, the SEM pictures of the tensile-fractured samples of the composites validate this strong interface. Finally, the prepared composites show better dynamic mechanical behavior indicating higher storage and loss moduli and Tg than the matrix polymer suggesting their potential for engineering applications.

The elastomeric nanocomposites based on organomontmorillonite (OMMT) and styrene‐(ethylene‐butylene)‐styrene (SEBS) thermoplastic elastomer were prepared by melt processing using maleic anhydride grafted SEBS (SEBS‐g‐MA) as compatibilizer. Thermo‐oxidative decomposition behavior of the neat components and the nanocomposites were investigated using thermogravimertic analysis (TGA) in air atmosphere. The isoconversional method is employed to study the kinetics of thermo‐oxidative degradation. The heating modes and the composition of nanocomposites were found to affect the kinetic parameters (Ea, lnA and n). The Ea and lnA values of SEBS, OMMT, and their composites are much higher under dynamic heating than under isothermal heating. The reaction order (n) of OMMT was lower than those of SEBS and their composites. The obtained TG profiles and calculated kinetic parameters indicated that the incorporation of OMMT into SEBS significantly improved the thermal stability both under dynamic heating and under isothermal heating. The simultaneously obtained DSC data showed that the enthalpy of thermal decomposition decreased with OMMT loading. No significant change in the nonisothermal and isothermal stability of the nanocomposites with addition of SEBS‐g‐MA. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011

Currently, material extrusion‐based additive manufacturing (MEAM) is an advanced fabrication technique for polymeric materials. However, MEAM feedstocks typically rely on amorphous thermoplastics and hence it suffers from limitation of compatible polymers. The current work reports the manufacturing of MEAM compatible new thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and styrene‐(ethylene‐butylene)‐styrene (SEBS) block copolymer blends which allow the designing of tailorable TPEs. Printability and mechanical properties of several ABS/SEBS (w/w) compositions were investigated. Interestingly, it was revealed that only 40 ABS/60 SEBS (w/w) blend possesses elastomeric properties in terms of strain at break (~550%) and tension set values (~10%). The effect of print layer thickness, orientation of printing, and infill degree on mechanical and TPE properties of the printed parts were studied theoretically by exploiting the Taguchi method. The infill degree has a significant influence on the mechanical performance whereas a slight effect was found by varying the layer thickness. Finally, the performance of the additive manufactured TPE were compared with conventional compression molded TPE specimens. As expected, lower values of ultimate tensile strength, Young's modulus, and strain at break of the additive manufactured sample were obtained as compared to the molded samples. However, no major variation could be found in the dynamic moduli, loss tangent, and absolute value of complex viscosity.

In this work blending design was applied to development of polypropylene (PP)/high impact polystyrene (HIPS) blends using styrene-(ethylene/butylene) styrene (SEBS) as compatibilizing agent. PP/HIPS/SEBS (50/40/10%) which presented the best balance between impact strength and stiffness was selected, aiming to investigate the effect of five blending sequences on morphology, mechanical, thermomechanical and thermal properties. Blends were initially compounded in a corrotational twin screw extruder and later on extruded granules were injection molded. Acquired results showed the morphology and impact of compatible blends were distinct and depend on blending sequence, i.e., being PP and SEBS firstly extrusion premixed followed by HIPS addition in the second extrusion step there was increase in impact strength, thermal deflection temperature (HDT), and thermal stability compared to PP and PP/HIPS, contrary, when HIPS and SEBS were firstly extrusion premixed and PP was added in the second extrusion step excessive reduction of HIPS particle size was verified; and additionally HDT, impact strength and thermal stability decreasing were observed compared to the other sequences. Summing up, PP/HIPS/SEBS properties are adjustable to specific application needs modifying the blending route.

The demand for sustainable and recyclable materials in industrial applications has led to a surge in interest in green composites, particularly those incorporating natural fillers derived from agro‐food industry waste. This study investigates the mechanical and thermal properties of polypropylene (PP) hybrid composites filled with hazelnut shell and wollastonite, along with the effect of styrene‐ethylene/butylene‐styrene (SEBS) and SEBS‐g‐maleic anhydride (SEBS‐g‐MA) compatibilizers. Various characterization techniques, including tensile, flexural, and impact tests, as well as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses, were employed to evaluate the composites. Results demonstrate that the addition of wollastonite significantly improves mechanical properties, while hazelnut shell filler affects thermal behavior and stability. SEBS and SEBS‐g‐MA compatibilizers enhance impact resistance; however, they lead to a decrease in other mechanical properties. DSC and TGA analyses demonstrate changes in crystallization behavior and thermal stability due to filler and compatibilizer incorporation. SEM microstructure images show the distribution of SEBS and SEBS‐g‐MA within the composite structure, affecting mechanical and thermal properties. Overall, this study highlights the importance of filler selection, compatibilizer addition, and their distribution in attaining desired properties for industrial applications. Future research should focus on optimizing formulations for specific uses and assessing long‐term performance under real‐world conditions.

Blends of various grades of polypropylene (PP) with a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP), namely a copolymer of p-benzoic acid and ethylene terephthalate (60/40 mole ratio) were prepared as extruded films. A thermoplastic elastomer styrene (ethylene-butylene) styrene (SEBS) was used as a compatibilizer. Melt viscosities of all specimens were measured using a plate-and-plate rheometer with oscillating mode in the shear rate region of 1 - 200 rad/s. Addition of SEBS compatibilizer resulted in an increase of the blend viscosity. Observation of the blend morphology revealed an improvement of TLCP dispersion. The TLCP fiber aspect ratio (length to diameter) in the extruded film also increased after addition of SEBS. As a result, the film modulus in extrusion direction was enhanced. The tensile strength of the film specimen was also increased due to an improvement of interfacial adhesion.

Attempts have been made for the first time to prepare a friction material with the characteristic of thermal sensitive modulus, by the inclusion of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) as viscoelastic polymeric materials into the formulation in order to the increase the damping behavior of the cured friction material. Styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS), styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS) and nitrile rubber/polyvinyl chloride (NBR/PVC) blend system were used as TPE materials. In order to evaluate the viscoelastic parameters such as loss factor (tan δ) and storage modulus (E′) for the friction material, dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) were used. Natural frequencies and mode shapes of friction material and brake disc were determined by modal analysis. However, NBR/PVC and SEBS were found to be much more effective in damping behavior. The results from this comparative study suggest that the damping characteristics of commercial friction materials can be strongly affected by the TPE ingredients. This investigation also confirmed that the specimens with high TPE content had low noise propensity.

Detailed statistical trend analysis of thermoplastic elastomers based on poly (phenylene ether) (PPE), polystyrene (PS), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene (SEBS) was done through Design Expert software by Stat‐Ease. D optimal crossed design was followed to capture the interaction with the parameters. Effect of blend ratio, vinyl acetate (VA) content of EVA, molecular weight (MW) of SEBS and intrinsic viscosity (IV) of PPE on the blend performance (response) was studied in detail. Design of Experiment (DOE) analysis showed the “optimized formulation” of the blend. Increase in PPE‐polystyrene (PS) content increased tensile strength and modulus of the blend, followed by a decrease in strain at break. However, EVA had a reverse effect on tensile strength and modulus. Strain at break increased significantly with increasing SEBS content in the blend. Graphical and numerical optimization showed that superior mechanical properties (tensile strength, strain at break and modulus) could be achieved at VA content ∼ 50% at a particular loading of EVA. Low MW SEBS was found to be more compatible with the other components of the blend. Mechanical properties of the quaternary blend were marginally affected with change in IV of PPE in the range of 0.33 to 0.46. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007