Ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer elastomers based on Constrained Geometry Catalysts (CGC) exhibit a number of physical properties, which make them extremely useful for flexible thermoplastic olefin (f-TPO) automotive interior applications. Due to the low level of unsaturation in these polymers, they exhibit a high level of heat and UV aging resistance. Their molecular architecture enables these polymers to exhibit low glass transition temperatures (Tg); thus, compositions containing these polymers exhibit very good low temperature impact properties. Cost effective, thermoformable compounds have been developed using these elastomers. Flexible TPO sheets are manufactured by either extrusion or calendering. These two processes have a different set of requirements to ensure optimum manufacture. Consequently, the type of compounds required for these two processes will differ. This paper will examine these two sheeting manufacturing methods, with emphasis on the calendering process. An approach on how to determine optimum thermoformable compounds for these different processes will be discussed. The effects of ethylene/1-octene copolymer, oil, peroxide, and coagent in rheology modified EO/PP blends on elevated temperature stress-strain and melt strength properties were determined using a hybrid mixture-factorial model. In general, the correlation coefficient was good to fair, indicating good to fair correlation with the data. The best visual quality calendered sheeting was obtained using higher levels of PP, higher melt flow PP, and higher levels of OIL. The constraints for these higher levels (lower EO levels) will be the desired sheet hardness, ultimate tensile strength, fogging resistance needs, and cold temperature impact resistance. Poor correiations were found between compound viscosity, compound melt elasticity, and calendered sheet quality. Several additives were observed to yield good roll release, when used in the EO/PP based compound.
Development of thermoformable ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer elastomer compounds for optimum sheeting manufacture
Entwicklung thermoformbarer Ethylen/Alphaolefin Copolymer Elastomerverbundstoffe für die optimale Herstellung von Verkleidungen
SPE Automotive TPO Global Conference, 4 ; 215-229
2002
15 Seiten, 8 Bilder, 6 Tabellen, 9 Quellen
Conference paper
English
New Ethylene/Alpha-Olefin Copolymer Elastomers for Automotive Interior Applications
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