Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomers Research Articles

Upcycling Fabrics: Valorization of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (r-PET) Plastic Waste into Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomers (TPEE) for Fiber Spinning

Upcycling Fabrics: Valorization of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (r-PET) Plastic Waste into Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomers (TPEE) for Fiber Spinning

Synthesis of novel thermoplastic polyester elastomers with biobased amorphous polyester as the soft segment

The development of sustainable polymers from biobased blocks is urgently desirable. In this work, a class of novel biobased thermoplastic polyester elastomers, namely poly(butylene terephthalate)-poly(1,4-butylene/2,3-butylene succinate) (PBT-PBBS) copolyesters, were designed and synthesized via melt oligomer polycondensation of common PBT oligomer and biobased PBBS oligomer. The obtained PBT-PBBS copolyesters exhibited desired block structure and contained a hard phase of crystallized PBT and a soft phase of amorphous PBBS. Their mechanical properties could be tailored by tuning the polycondensation time or the molar ratio of PBT to PBBS. Specifically, the tensile strength and the elongation at break of these copolyesters could be flexibly adjusted in the range of 6–13 MPa and 240–650%, respectively. Therefore, they are expected to be widely used in the fields of elastomers, hot-melt adhesives, and toughening modifiers.

One-spot synthesis of a benzene-rich triazine-based hyperbranched charring agent and its efficient intumescent flame retardant performance for thermoplastic polyester elastomer

An intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system was created using a benzene-rich triazine-based hyperbranched charring agent (CDS) and aluminum diethlyphosphinate (AlPi) to enhance the flame resistance of thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPEE). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results revealed that CDS had substantial char residue (50.8 wt%) and good thermal stability at 700 °C. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) value achieved 30.2% and it passed the V-0 rating in vertical combustion (UL-94) with the integration of 20 wt% (wt%) IFR (AlPi:CDS = 3:1) into TPEE matrix. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS), and heating infrared spectroscopy were used to examine the morphology and chemical makeup of char residues, as well as the evolution of the structure during the heating process. The outcomes demonstrated the compatibility of CDS and AlPi in both the gas phase and the condensed phase. After burning, the high-efficiency flame-retardant TPEE composite created a dense, continuous char layer that contained triazine rings and aromatic ring structures.

Synthesis and characterization of biobased thermoplastic polyester elastomers containing Poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate).

A series of sustainable and reprocessible thermoplastic polyester elastomers P(BF-PBSS)s were synthesized using dimethyl-2,5-furandicarboxylate, 1,4-butanediol, and synthetic low-molecular-weight biobased polyester (PBSS). The P(BF-PBSS)s contain poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PBF) as their hard segment and PBSS as their soft segment. The microstructures of the P(BF-PBSS)s were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance, demonstrating that a higher content of the soft segment was incorporated into P(BF-PBSS)s with higher PBSS content. Interestingly, dynamic mechanical analysis indicated that P(BF-PBSS)s comprised two domains: crystalline PBF and a mixture of amorphous PBF and PBSS. Consequently, the microphase separations of P(BF-PBSS)s were mainly induced by the crystallization of their PBF segments. More importantly, the thermal, crystallization, and mechanical properties could be tailored by tuning the PBSS content. Our results indicate that the as-prepared P(BF-PBSS)s are renewable, thermally stable, and nontoxic, and have good tensile properties, indicating that they could be potentially applied in biomedical materials.

The Electrical, Mechanical and Surface Properties of Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer Modified by Electron Beta Radiation.

The main advantages of Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomers (TPE-E) are their elastomer properties as well as their ability to be processed in the same way as thermoplastic polymers (e.g., injection moulding, compression moulding and extrusion). However, TPE-Es’ properties, mainly their mechanical properties and thermal characteristics, are not as good as those of elastomers. Because of this TPE-Es are often modified with the aim of improving their properties and extending their range of application. Radiation cross-linking using accelerated electron beams is one of the most effective ways to change virgin polymers’ properties significantly. Their electrical (that is to say permittivity and resistivity measurements), mechanical (that is, tensile and impact tensile tests), as well as surface (that is, nano-indentation) properties were measured on modified/cross-linked TPE-E specimens with and/or without a cross-linking agent at irradiation doses of 0, 33, 66, 99, 132, 165 and 198 kGy. The data acquired from these procedures show significant changes in the measured properties. The results of this study allow the possibility of determining the proper processing parameters and irradiation doses for the production of TPE-E products which leads to the enlargement of their application in practice.

Preparation and Characterization of a Renewable Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive System Derived from ε-Decalactone, l-Lactide, Epoxidized Soybean Oil, and Rosin Ester

Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are prepared with plant-based thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPPEs), rosin ester tackifier, and epoxidized soybean oil plasticizer. Controlled bulk ring-opening transesterification polymerization of e-decalactone and l-lactide using diethylene glycol as an initiator gives ABA type block polyesters via a one-pot, two-step process with only tin(II) ethylhexanoate. Three semicrystalline poly(l-lactide)–poly(e-decalactone)–poly(l-lactide) (PLLA–PDL–PLLA) triblock copolymers are prepared containing 100 kg mol–1 PDL midblocks and 8–30 wt % PLLA end blocks with narrow dispersities. The mechanical behavior of the triblock architectures is investigated by tensile experiments. The triblocks are combined with the tackifier of 50 wt % and the plasticizer of 15–30 wt %. The thermal, viscoelastic, and morphological properties of the elastomers and the adhesive formulations are determined with differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical ana...

Thermoplastic polyester elastomers based on long-chain crystallizable aliphatic hard segments

Thermoplastic polyester elastomers prepared from a plant-oil derived crystallizable long-chain aliphatic α,ω-dicarboxylic acid have been investigated.

Soft segment free thermoplastic polyester elastomers with high performance

A soft segment free thermoplastic polyester elastomer is fabricated by adjusting the cis-1,4-cyclohexylene ring moiety in poly(butylene 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate) from 12% to 71%.

Electrospun fiber membranes of novel thermoplastic polyester elastomers: Preparation and characterization

AbstractElectrospinning nanotechnology has recently attracted lots of attention in different kinds of applications. Poly(butylene terephthalate) random‐segment copolymers, named poly[(butylene terephthalate)‐co‐(1,4‐cyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate)]‐b‐poly(tetramethylene glycol) (P(BT‐co‐CT)‐b‐PTMG), were synthesized in this study. On the basis of the new thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPEEs), the fiber membranes were subsequently electrospun. With the aid of a cosolvent of trifluoroacetic acid and dichloromethane, the resulting solutions with a concentration between 24 and 32% w/v were electrospun into fibers without beads. The results also show a good spinnability for the copolymer solution in a range of voltages from 16 to 24 kV. When the molar ratio of 1,4‐cyclohexanedimethanol to 1,4‐butanediol was 10 : 90, the electrospun membrane prepared by the corresponding copolymers had a higher elastic modulus than the commercial TPEE (Hytrel 4056, 4.51 ± 0.35 MPa). Differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction showed that a crystalline phase existed in the electrospun poly[(butylene terephthalate)‐co‐(1,4‐cyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate)]‐b‐poly(tetramethylene glycol) (P(BT‐co‐CT)‐b‐PTMG) copolymer fiber membranes. The melting point of the electrospun fibers was approximately less than that of the corresponding copolymers © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011

Determination of the tear properties of thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPEEs) using essential work of fracture (EWF) test method

In this paper, three commercial thin thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) samples are prepared by the injection molding process. Essential work of fracture (EWF) tests, which have been extended to cover the ductile tearing of polymeric materials that neck before fracture, in both the machine direction (MD) and the transverse direction (TD) are executed based on the ESIS TC-4 protocol as well as conventional trouser tear tests. Through an examination of the EWF test results, the tear properties of TPEE samples can be determined quantitatively. Partitioning of the test results is attempted for identifying the contribution of yielding and necking/tearing on the overall tear properties of TPEE samples. In addition, the fracture surfaces of TPEE samples following EWF tests are investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The root causes of the differences in tear properties are studied using the morphology of the fracture surfaces of TPEE samples.

熱可塑性エラストマーの最前線 ポリエステル系熱可塑性エラストマーの最近の技術動向

Thermoplastic polyester elastomers can be classified into two types depending on the soft segment in the copolymer that gives it resilience. Polyester-polyether-type is a block copolymer consisting of PBT as the hard segment and PTMG as the soft one. It covers general-purpose grades, being designed to have flexibility, heat resistance, cold resistance, chemical resistance, processability and more in the best balanced proportion. Polyester-polyester-type consists of PBT as the hard segment and PCL as the soft one, has physical properties comparable to Polyester-polyether-type, and has unequal heat aging and light resistance. In recent years, high durability special polyester-polyether-type grades with excellent fatigue endurance and resistance to grease have been developed and applied to CVJ boots. Also new generation TPEE consisting of PBN as the hard segment has excellent resistance to hydrolysis, chemicals, oil, high temperature, abrasion and low expansion coefficient. These will stretch the limit of TPEE.

Analysis of weathering of thermoplastic polyester elastomers—I. Polyether-polyester elastomers

Thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPEE) are useful as new materials covering the region between rubbers and plastics. At present, the uses under outdoor conditions have increased. However, weatherability of TPEE is not clear. We have studied weathering of TPEE, by means of GPC, TG/DTA, FT-IR and 1H-NMR and other methods. In conclusion, (1) Ether parts of the soft segment in the polymer are degraded selectively and ester bonds are formed. (2) In both outdoor exposure tests and the accelerated weathering test, main chain scission and crosslinking reactions occur. (3) There was a clear difference between tendencies of degradation by outdoor exposure and the accelerated weathering test. The amount of crosslinked products which formed during the accelerated weathering test was larger than that formed during the outdoor exposure tests.

New Segmented Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomers

New copolymer elastomers (Gaflex® ) derived from dimethylterephthalate (DMT), butanediol (B1D), butenediol (B2D) and polytetrahydrofuran are described. The materials are processable by conventional thermoplastic techniques and are available with a range of melt viscosities. The elastomers are tough, tear resistant, and perform over a broad temperature range. Appli cations are found in tubing, wire coating, sports equipment and bellows.