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Article: Using diene-based TPUs in rubber compounding.(Thermoplastic polyurethanes)
- Article from:
- Rubber & Plastics News
- Article date:
- February 6, 2006
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Crain Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Steven K. Henning, Herbert Chao
Thermoplastic polyurethanes typically are based on polyether or polyester soft segments. Unlike styrenic triblock thermoplastic elastomer products, these TPUs have not been utilized widely in traditional rubber compounding. The polar forms are not very soluble in diene rubbers, or effectively vulcanized with sulfur or peroxide systems.
However, a TPU based on diene prepolymers can increase the compatibility with rubber compounds by presenting a new form with both rubber-like soft segments and urethane linkages.
Polybutadiene-based TPUs are desired for their hydrophobicity, hydrolytic and chemical ...