Stronger Thermoplastic Elastomers

Thermoplastic elastomers have a broad range of useful engineering properties - impact strength, ductility, tear resistance - as well as good weatherability, low-temperature flexibility, moderate resistance to chemicals, and a high coefficient of friction. They are available in a broad hardness range (without plasticizers) and have an advantage over the crosslinked rubbers in that they can be processed by conventional molding and extrusion methods. Fiber-reinforced compounding of these elastomers has eliminated some of the earlier limitations in application.