Characterization of Thermoplastic Elastomers for Design Efforts

Abstract

Different grades of several thermoplastic elastomer types were selected and are investigated over a wide frequency/time, temperature and loading range in a research project of the authors. Relevant material models are selected for different loading situations and based on these experimental data the material model parameters were determined either directly or by applying fitting procedures. These models along with the proper data were used for modeling the deformation and the failure behavior of typical engineering thermoplastic elastomer components. Furthermore, based on the modeling of various elastomers under different service relevant loading situation several design proposals were formulated.