Reporting on the work of an international array of scientists involved in the study of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) based on polyesters, polyamides, and polyurethanes, this book is the first to provide a detailed description of condensation TPE with close attention paid to polyamide-based systems. Reflecting the increasing importance of TPE as engineering plastics, the authors discuss the widened application opportunities offered by preparing systems with various chemical compositions and molecular structures as semi-interpenetrating networks. The book also covers the chemical aspects, physical structure and properties, life cycle assessment, and recycling possibilities, as well as unique “smart” properties such as the shape memory effect of the three classes of thermoplastic elastomers.

From the Preface: “Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) belong to a relatively new and small class of engineering plastics. Nevertheless, they enjoy a steady growth because of their unusual and very important combination of properties. During service, TPE behave as elastomers (e.g., as vulcanized natural rubber) but, in contrast to the classical elastomers, they can be processed by means of the conventional techniques and equipment utilized for all thermoplastics...”

Target Audience: Polymer chemists, materials scientists, plastics technologists, and others in industry and academia who are concerned with condensation thermoplastic elastomers.

Table of Contents:

Introduction:

Creation and Development of Thermoplastic Elastomers, and Their Position Among Organic Materials

Polycondensation Reactions in Thermoplastic Elastomer Chemistry: State of the Art, Trends, and Future Developments

Polyester-Based Thermoplastic Elastomers:

Polyester Thermoplastic Elastomers: Synthesis, Properties, and Some Applications

Terpoly (Ester-b-Ether-b-Amide) Thermoplastic Elastomers: Synthesis, Structure, and Properties

High Performance Thermoplastic Aramid Elastomers: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications

Poly (Ether Ester) Thermoplastic Elastomers: Phase and Deformation Behavior on the Nano- and Micro Level

Condensation Thermoplastic Elastomers Under Load: Methodological Studies of Nanostructure Evolution by X-Ray Scattering

Dielectric Relaxation of Polyester-Based Thermoplastic Elastomers

Polyamide-Based Thermoplastic Elastomers:

Thermoplastic Poly (Ether-b-Amide) Elastomers: Synthesis

Poly (Ether-b-Amide) Thermoplastic Elastomers: Structure, Properties, and Applications

Semicrystalline Segmented Poly (Ether-b-Amide) Copolymers: Overview of Solid-State Structure—Property Relationships and Uniaxial Deformation Behavior

Polyurethane-Based Thermoplastic Elastomers:

Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomers in Interpenetrating Polymer Networks

Polyurethane Thermoplastic Elastomers Comprising Hydrazine Derivatives: Chemical Aspects

Molecular Dynamics and Ionic Conductivity Studies in Polyurethane Thermoplastic Elastomers

Blends, Composites, Applications, and Recycling of Thermoplastic Elastomers:

Polymer Blends Containing Thermoplastic Elastomers of the Condensation and Addition Types

“Nanoreinforcement” of Thermoplastic Elastomers

Commercial Condensation and Addition Thermoplastic Elastomers: Composition, Properties, and Applications

Shape Memory Effects of Multiblock Thermoplastic Elastomers

Condensation and Addition Thermoplastic Elastomers: Recycling Aspects

Index