The second edition of this reference is a compilation of multipoint performance data of plastics exposed to varying conditions of temperature and humidity. Additional plastics families have been added, obsolete products have been removed and replaced, approximately two thirds of the graphs are new, and all tables have been completely revised to contain extensive additional data. More than 70 types of plastic are covered, and the chemistry of each type is summarized.

This practical reference compiles in one place the working knowledge of chemistry, processing, physical and mechanical properties, as well as applications of thermoplastic elastomers. A significant part of the book is dedicated to processing methods, applications, and material data sheets. Also featured are a list of current suppliers, ISO nomenclature, a list of recent patents, and a glossary of terms.

The third edition of this classic again covers the entire field of thermoplastic elastomers – history, chemistry, polymer structure, rheology, physical properties, and typical applications. This new edition includes both many of the original chapters (often revised in the light of more recent developments) and some additional ones that cover new topics. Once again the authors of the chapters include technical experts from the various companies that produce thermoplastic elastomers and academic researchers who deal with some of the newer developments.

High-melt-strength polyolefin elastomers with long-chain branching enable processors to expand the use of thermoplastic polyolefins (TPOs) in processes such as thermoforming, profile extrusion, injection molding, and blow molding, where conventional elastomers have previously had difficulty. The numerous benefits of long-chain branching include increased melt strength, reduced gloss, and enhanced shear thinning (for extrusion and injection molding), and these benefits have been demonstrated with polypropylene blends for both hard and soft TPOs.

The multiple melting behavior of a polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer, namely poly(ether-block-amide) copolymer, melt-crystallized under various quiescent, isothermal conditions was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The structure of the crystallized copolymer was characterized at ambient temperature using wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). It was found that the hard, crystalline microdomain of the melt-crystallized copolymer only exhibited ?- or (?'-) crystal form associated with hexagonal habits.

Thermoplastic Polyolefins (TPO) often display an offsetting balance between compound melt flow, flexural modulus, low temperature impact, and compound cost. The addition of a low viscosity and low density polymer will result in higher impact performance at the expense of an undesirable higher compound viscosity. The utility of a blend of a novel ultra high flow (low viscosity), low density polymeric additive in combination with a conventional low density low flow (high viscosity) polymer will be discussed.