Can thermoplastics be crosslinked?
Thermoplastics may be cross-linked using irradiation techniques and chemical agents. Their effect is to interconnect the long-chain molecules of the thermoplastic by covalent bonds, with the results being much the same as when thermoset resins are cured or hardened by curing agents.
Are thermoplastic elastomers crosslinked?
The idea behind thermoplastic elastomers is the notion of a reversible crosslink. Normal crosslinked polymers cannot be recycled because they don’t melt. This allows the material to be processed, and most importantly, recycled.
Are elastomers crosslinked?
Elastomers are loosely cross-linked polymers. They have the characteristics of rubber in terms of flexibility and elasticity. The long randomly coiled, loosely cross-linked materials can be stretched easily, but return to their original shapes when the force or stress is removed.
What are crosslinked polymers?
Polymer chemistry. Crosslinking is the general term for the process of forming covalent bonds or relatively short sequences of chemical bonds to join two polymer chains together. When polymer chains are crosslinked, the material becomes more rigid.
Can you turn a thermoplastic into a thermoset?
Yes it is possible by free radical cross linking reactions using redox initiators or by high energy radiation techniques. As the previous comments said there are many ways to induce crosslinking in a thermoplastic thus turning it into a thermoset.
What is thermoplastic elastomer material?
Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs) are a class of polymers that, within their design limits, behave like thermoset rubber but that, above their melt or softening temperatures, are melt processable via thermoplastic processing methods and, unlike thermoset rubber, can be easily reprocessed and remolded.
What is thermoplastic elastomer made of?
Polyolefin thermoplastic elastomer (TPO) materials are defined as compounds (mixtures) of various polyolefin polymers, semicrystalline thermoplastics, and amorphous elastomers. Most TPOs are composed of polypropylene and a copolymer of ethylene and propylene called ethylene–propylene rubber.
How is paint crosslinked?
Air dried paints/primers like lacquer do not have cross linking taking place when they dry or “cure”. the term cross linking refers to two different molecules combining to make a different single molecule because the two chemicals “cross link” their molecules.
Can a thermoplastic elastomer be chemically crosslinked?
As they show their original elastic properties again after cooling down, they are recyclable like thermoplastics. In contrast to TPEs, elastomers cannot be processed by melting; they are chemically crosslinked and not recyclable. Many possible applications ranging from the automotive sector to the pharmaceutical industry.
Which is an example of a thermoplastic elastomer material?
Examples of elastomers are natural rubber or synthetic rubber such as EPDM and NBR. Basically, thermoplastic elastomers can be divided into two types: reactor-made TPEs (e.g. TPA, TPU, and TPC) and TPE compounds (e.g. TPS or TPV).
What are the effects of cross linking polymers?
When highly crystalline or cross-linked polymers are considered, e.g paints after drying, rubbers, polyolefins, the effects of cross-linking and crystallinity should be considered because they affect the solubility.
What makes an elastomer different from a thermoset?
Elastomers, often referred to as rubbers, are chemically crosslinked polymers. They are considerably less densely crosslinked than thermosets, leaving larger elastic areas between the individual cross-links. These areas are crucial to their elastic properties. Elastomers cannot be melted again.