Lightweight Antistatic Thermoplastic Elastomer Blend Foam: The Foaming Behavior and Mechanical Properties

Abstract

A thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) has been widely used because of its excellent impact resistance and resilience, but its melt viscosity is too low to be used in the supercritical foaming. In addition, TPEE easily generates static electricity accumulation during processing, which has a risk of fire. Herein, a thermoplastic polyamide elastomer (PEBAX) with permanent antistatic properties was blended with TPEE, and triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC) was used as a chain extender to improve the compatibility and melt strength of the blends. Then, the TPEE/PEBAX blends were foamed by supercritical N2, and the cell structure and mechanical and antistatic properties of the blend foam were analyzed at a density of 0.1 ± 0.001 g/cm3. The results showed that when the blending ratio of TPEE/PEBAX was 70/30, the blend foam with a uniform cell structure had the most excellent mechanical properties. The resilience and elongation at break reached 83 and 850.3%, respectively. In addition, the surface resistivity and volume resistivity were 3.21 × 109 Ω and 7.35 × 109 Ω·cm, respectively, which were significantly lower than those of the IEC 61340 standard.