Processability of Thermoplastic Olefin Elastomers: Vacuum Sheet Forming

Abstract

Abstract We have presented a method for evaluating the vacuum forming performance of polymers by comparing their forming window. The window is determined by (a) the sag of the heated sheet and (b) the material's ability to reproduce mold details. We also showed that the vacuum forming window of polypropylene homopolymer can be widened through modification with an olefinic thermoplastic elastomer. Compared to polypropylene homopolymer, TPE-modified polypropylene requires lower tensile stress to extend the sample at temperatures below the polypropylene melting point. In the melt stage. TPE modification enhances the melt viscosity of polypropylene. TPE modification increases significantly the low temperature impact of polypropylene. The flexural modulus becomes lower.