Thermoplastic Elastomers

Thermoplastic elastomers (”’TPE”’), sometimes referred to as ”’thermoplastic rubbers”’, are a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers (usually a plastic and a rubber) which consist of materials with both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties. While most elastomers are thermosets, thermoplastics are in contrast relatively easy to use in manufacturing, for example, by injection molding, which Jefferson Rubber Works does. Thermoplastic elastomers show both advantages typical of rubbery materials and plastic materials. The principal difference between thermoset elastomers and thermoplastic elastomers is the type of cross linking bond in their structures. In fact, cross linking is a critical structural factor which contributes to impart high elastic properties. The crosslink in thermoset polymers is a covalent bond created during the vulcanization process. On the other hand the crosslink in thermoplastic elastomer polymers is a weaker Intermolecular force orhydrogen bond or takes place in one of the phases of the material.