Plastics modification

 
EPM/EPDM polymers are increasingly used as impact modifiers for plastics such as polyolefins. Thermoplastic olefins (TPO) exhibit superior flexibility and impact strength.

 

In TPO's the rubber fraction usually kept to a minimum. But in plastic-modified rubber, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) or thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV), EPM/ EPDM is the main component and responsible for the required physical properties of the end product. The elastomer component should provide:

• Maximum elastic properties improvement per unit volume
• Efficient vulcanization
• Contribute to a uniform dispersion of small, highly cross-linked particles
• Allow the compound designer full freedom in color selection.

TPEs provide functional performance and properties similar to conventional thermoset rubber products, but can be processed with the speed, efficiency and economy of thermoplastics.

The plastic phase imparts stiffness to the blends, enables plastic-like processing and recyclability, and eliminates the need for vulcanization. Buna® EP/polyolefin blends are finding growing applications in areas such as automotive parts, consumer products, wire and cable, building construction and mechanical goods.

 

Maleic anhydride-grafted EPDM (Buna® EP XT) can be used to improve the physical properties of Polyolefin's. LANXESS is offering serveral of these innovative materials as trial products. Please contact your technical center for further information.

 

Buna is a registered trademark in many countries of the world.