Chapter 1. Introduction

1. Background and historical aspects

2. An introduction to TPEs

3. Classification of TPE and types of polymers used for the synthesis of TPEs

4. Thermoplastic vulcanizates

5. Sustainable TPEs

6. Processing of TPEs

7. Applications of TPEs

8. TPE market

Chapter 2. TPEs and TPVs from research to commercialization including patents and published literature

1. Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)

2. Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV)

3. Research versus commercial development [12,13]

4. TPE: Polyurethane

5. Polyolefin TPE

6. TPV PP/EPDM and similar

7. Conclusion

Chapter 3. Block copolymer phase separation basics, thermodynamics, and applications in thermoplastic elastomers

1. Introduction

2. Block copolymers: fundamentals

3. Characterization tools for phase segregation

4. Ways to control the morphology of the block copolymers: a platform for nanofabrication

5. Miscibility, phase separation, and mechanism of phase separation from the thermodynamic point of view

6. Thermoplastic elastomers: fundamentals and applications

7. Conclusions and future outlook

Chapter 4. Styrenic-based thermoplastic elastomers by anionic polymerization

1. Introduction

2. General principles for the design of styrenic TPEs

3. Linear-type SBCs for TPEs

4. Nonlinear/Complex macromolecular architectures of SBCs for TPEs

5. Conclusions

Chapter 5. New class of thermoplastic elastomers based on acrylic block copolymers

1. Introduction

2. Synthesis approaches to acrylic TPEs

3. Molecular weight between entanglements (Me)

4. Approaches to improve the performance of acrylic TPEs

5. Recent developments and applications in acrylic TPEs

6. Conclusions

Chapter 6. Polyolefin-based thermoplastic vulcanizates and thermoplastic elastomers: fundamental chemistry problems

1. Polyolefin TPEs and TPVs are not rubbers

2. Synthesis

3. Synthesis polyolefin–ethylene–octene TPE

4. Thermal failure and creep effects

5. Plasticizers

6. Characterization and morphology

Chapter 7. Polypropylene-based thermoplastic elastomers: fundamental blending issues

1. Polymer blends

2. Thermoplastic elastomers

3. Classification of TPEs

4. Preparation of PP-based TPEs by blending PP with compatible rubber components

5. Preparation of PP-based TPEs by blending PP with compatible rubber components in the presence of compatibilizers

6. Preparation of PP-based TPEs by blending PP with incompatible rubber components with physical and reactive compatibilization

7. Preparation of PP-based TPE nanocomposites by blending PP with different rubbers (either in the presence or absence of compatibilizer) and various nanofillers

Chapter 8. Polyolefin-based TPEs: reactive processing

1. Introduction

2. Dynamic vulcanization through reactive processing

3. Cross-linking systems

4. Morphology and rheological behavior

5. Special types of TPEs/TPVs

6. Concluding remarks

Chapter 9. Thermoplastic elastomers based on polyisobutylene

1. Introduction

2. PIB-based styrenic TPEs

3. PIB-based nonstyrenic TPEs

4. PIB-based block copolymer TPE composites

5. PIB-containing polyurethane TPEs

6. Applications of PIB-based TPEs

7. Challenges

Chapter 10. Thermoplastic elastomers based on graft copolymers

List of abbreviations

1. Introduction

2. Chemistry of polymer grafting

3. Polymer architecture and TPEs

4. Graft copolymers–based TPEs

5. Properties and applications of graft copolymers–based TPEs

6. Conclusions

7. Perspectives

Chapter 11. Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) from rubber-plastic blends

1. Introduction

2. Selection of materials for TPE-based blends

3. Preparation of TPEs

4. Fabrication techniques

5. Compatibilization

6. Dynamic vulcanization

7. Characterization of the TPEs and TPVs

8. Applications of TPEs

9. Conclusions

Chapter 12. Co-polyesters-based thermoplastic elastomers (Co-PE TPEs)

1. Introduction

2. Co-polyester developments to thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs)

3. Co-polyester thermoplastic elastomers (Co-PE TPEs)

4. Published literature on Co-PE TPEs: various soft blocks

5. Summary and outlook

Chapter 13. Fluorinated thermoplastic elastomers: current status and future applications

1. Introduction

2. Synthesis of fluorinated thermoplastic elastomers

3. Properties of fluorinated thermoplastic elastomers

4. Application of fluorinated thermoplastic elastomers

5. Summary and perspectives

Chapter 14. High-performance thermoplastic elastomers based on silicones

1. Introduction

2. Synthesis of silicones

3. Basics of thermoplastic elastomers

4. Thermoplastic silicone elastomers

5. Silicone-based thermoplastic elastomers via blending

6. Concluding remarks

Chapter 15. High performance ionic thermoplastic elastomers

1. Introduction

2. Structure of ionic thermoplastic elastomers

3. Type of ionomers

4. Synthesis of ionomers

5. Physical properties of ionomers

6. Recycling of ionic thermoplastic elastomer

7. Applications of ionomers

8. Future developments

9. Conclusions

Chapter 16. Advances in thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers: Design, applications and their circularity

1. Introduction

2. Chemistry of thermoplastic polyurethanes

3. Design of advanced TPUs

4. Applications of TPU

5. Circular economy of PUs

6. Conclusions, challenges, and future perspectives

Chapter 17. TPE nanocomposites; processing and additives

1. Introduction

2. Properties and advantages of TPEs

3. Processing methods for TPEs

4. Fillers/nanofillers for TPE nanocomposites

5. Isotropic filler–based TPE nanocomposites

6. Anisotropic filler–based TPE nanocomposites

7. Other filler-based nanocomposites

8. Conclusions and outlook

Chapter 18. Thermoplastic vulcanizates: Historical perspectives and synthesis strategies

1. Introduction

2. Influencing factors of the properties of TPVs

3. High-performance and functional TPVs

4. Outlook

Chapter 19. Sustainability in TPEs; Bio-based TPE

1. Introduction

2. Polyhydroxyalkanoates

3. Classification of PHAs as thermoplastic elastomers

4. Applications of PHA

5. Summary and future perspectives

Chapter 20. Sustainability in thermoplastic elastomers: Bio-degradable thermoplastic elastomers

1. Introduction

2. Biodegradability in TPEs: Linear triblock copolymers

3. Biodegradability in sustainable TPEs: Multiblock copolymers

4. Applications of biodegradable TPEs

5. Advances in TPEs: Use of CO2 as a feedstock

6. Worldwide status of sustainable TPE and future projections

7. Conclusions

Chapter 21. Recycling and circular economy of thermoplastic elastomers

1. Introduction

2. Challenges and objectives

3. Recycling of thermoplastic elastomers

4. Thermoplastic elastomers from recycled rubbers

5. Recycling of thermoplastic elastomer products

6. Processing and recycling advantages

7. Circular economy trends and sustainability of TPEs

8. Conclusions and outlook

Chapter 22. Concluding remarks and outlook for future

Author Index

Index