Asahi Chemical has developed two new
series of high-performance specialty polymers as part
of the continuing expansion and growth of its synthetic
rubber and elastomer operations, positioned as
a key
competitive-superiority segment of the corporate business
portfolio. With the completion of development and
market
introduction of the two series of polymer announced
today, Asahi Chemical has strengthened its position
as a maker of materials which will enable greater
resource
and energy conservation. Research is ongoing for a
wide range of other new, high-value specialty synthetic
rubber
and elastomer products, and expansion of production
capacity is also under way to meet strong demand
throughout
its synthetic rubber and elastomer product lineup.
Overview of the newly developed polymers
Tuftec® P-series high performance
thermoplastic elastomer
Developed for use as a modifying agent and compatibilizer
for recyclable polyolefins and polystyrene, the new Tuftec
P-series high-performance thermoplastic elastomer provides
outstanding heat resistance along with outstanding low-temperature
performance characteristics.
Tuftec P is the world's only thermoplastic
elastomer with an SBBS* molecular structure, giving it
a novel combination of performance characteristics. It
is made by a proprietary production process developed
by Asahi Chemical which enables the selective hydrogenation
of the weakest parts of an SBS* intermediate copolymer.
In addition to improving heat resistance as with ordinary
hydrogenation, this new hydrogenation process also results
in outstanding processability and low-temperature performance
characteristics which are unattainable in other hydrogenated
elastomers.
Tuftec P has excellent compatibility
with both polyolefins and polystyrene, and will be used
as a modifying agent for those resins as well as a compatibilizer
and a modifying agent for polymer alloys in a wide range
of applications including specialty polypropylene for
automotive parts and replacement of vinyl chloride resins.
Comparison of elastomer performance characteristics
| |
Tuftec® P
(SBBS) |
SBS |
SEBS* |
| Heat resistance |
good |
poor |
excellent |
| Processability |
good |
excellent |
fair |
| Low-temp. performance |
excellent |
excellent |
good |
| Compatibility w/PS* |
good |
good |
good |
| Compatibility w/PE, PP* |
good to excellent |
fair |
good |
| * |
SBBS: styrene-butadiene-butylene-styrene
copolymer, |
|
SBS: styrene-butadiene-styrene
copolymer, |
|
SEBS: styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene
copolymer, |
|
PS: polystyrene, PE: polyethylene,
PP: polypropylene. |
Tufdene® E and Asaprene® E high performance rubber for silica compound tires
E-series Tufdene† and Asaprene† rubber were
developed specifically for use in silica compound tires,
which enable improved fuel economy. With trial marketing
substantially complete, full-scale marketing activity
is now proceeding.
With improved compatibility with silica
made possible through a proprietary new modification
to the polymer terminals, Tufdene E and Asaprene E enable
an exceptional combination of high grip and low rolling
resistance, resulting in excellent braking performance
and fuel efficiency in tires compounded with silica.
Because of the improved fuel economy they
enable, silica compound tires are quickly becoming predominant
in European markets, and are widely expected to be the fastest
growing tire segment in Japan and throughout the world in
the years ahead. Major tire makers have shown strong interest
in Tufdene E and Asaprene E, based on their independent evaluations
which have confirmed the unmatched tire performance characteristics
made possible.
| † |
Tufdene is a continuous process
solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber, |
| |
Asaprene is a batch process
solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber. |
|
