Revolutionizing Elastomers: Polycarbonate-based TPU's Leap in Thermal Resistance

This is a sponsored article by UBE.

Creating elastomers that can withstand high temperatures is a complex task in the dynamic field of material science, as it requires meeting specific material properties and the high demands of thermal-resistant applications.

Some of the challenges that formulators face include:

• balancing of flexibility and heat resistance,
• controlling thermal degradation to avoid loss of mechanical properties, chemical resistance, processability, and
• aging and oxidation in these extreme conditions

Overcoming these challenges requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving polymer science, materials engineering, chemistry, and even physics. It often necessitates the development of new materials, innovative processing techniques, and sometimes, entirely new approaches to polymer formulation.

In this article, we will delve into ETERNALAST® TPU series by UBE that showcases the future of high-performance elastomers. Also, learn how their properties cater to consumer demands and help achieve superior performance.

The Promise of Polycarbonate-based TPUs

Within the family of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), we find polycarbonate-based thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs). Sometimes also referred to as thermoplastic rubbers, TPUs are a physical mix of polymers (usually plastic and rubber) that have the properties of rubber but can be processed as thermoplastics.

TPUs offer several advantages that make the development of elastomers with high thermal resistance easier, leveraging unique properties that address some of the challenges typically encountered with other materials.

• Polycarbonate-based TPUs inherently possess a higher thermal stability than other types of elastomers. The polycarbonate segments in the polymer backbone provide enhanced resistance to thermal degradation, which is critical for applications requiring prolonged exposure to high temperatures.


• TPUs also maintain an excellent balance between flexibility and mechanical strength at elevated temperatures, as the polycarbonate component in the material contributes to maintaining elasticity and flexibility without sacrificing integrity under thermal stress, thus addressing one of the primary challenges in formulating high-thermal-resistant elastomers.


• They also exhibit superior resistance to oils, greases, and various chemicals, making them suitable for harsh environments where chemical exposure is coupled with high temperatures. This chemical resistance also contributes to the material's overall longevity and performance in demanding applications, and improved processing characteristics of TPEs.


• The versatility of high-thermal-resistance TPU elastomers means they can be tailored to meet specific requirements of a vast range of applications, making them invaluable in both established and emerging markets and sectors. Their ability to perform under extreme conditions ensures the safety, reliability, and longevity of products and systems across these diverse fields.

Key Features of ETERNALAST® TPU (Source: UBE)

Introducing ETERNALAST® by UBE

When working with thermoplastic polyurethane, it is important to consider polycarbonate diols. Polycarbonate diols are the building blocks for high-performance polyurethane coatings, adhesives, elastomers, and sealants.

• They offer remarkable stability, ensuring the long-lasting retention of a polyurethane's properties even after exposure to extreme conditions.
• They give polyurethane products superior durability compared to those made from polyether-diols or polyester-diols.

Among their most notable qualities, they provide the resulting products with higher thermal stability, improved mechanical properties, and increased chemical resistance.

Leveraging such diols, UBE has developed its ETERNALAST® TPU series.

• The series comprises a range of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers designed for injection and extrusion processes. Offer high mechanical strength, excellent abrasion resistance, and high durability.
• The series includes grades with polycarbonate and polycaprolactone backbones. It provides outstanding thermal resistance and other desirable physical properties such as resistance to wear, abrasion, oil, grease, and various nonpolar solvents.
• The series covers a wide range of hardness, from softer to very high hardness levels. They are also distinguished by good compression set, high tear strength, and dynamic load capacity at low temperatures.
• Certain grades within the series are approved by the FDA, indicating their suitability for use in food contact applications.

Properties		Unit	Method	LD4089A	LD4041D	LD4055D	LS4095A	LS4055D	LS7093A	LS8094A
Density		g/cm³	ISO 1183-1	1190	1200	1209	1200	1210	1190	1110
Melting point		°C	ISO 11357-3	173	178	176	195	240	243	227
Crystallization temperature		°C	ISO 11357-3	80	80	80	100	170	107	93
Melt flow index (215 °C/2.15 kg)		g/cm³	ISO 1133	7	6	9	-	-	-	-
Hardness (Shore A)		-	ISO 868	89	93	97	93	93	92	94
Hardness (Shore D)		-	ISO 868	40	42	55	42	51	41	43
Tensile strength		MPa	ISO 527-2	37	38	39	52	44	46	46
Stress at 100%		MPa	ISO 527-2	11	17	20	16	22	16	10
Stress at 200%		MPa	ISO 527-2	26	34	35	27	31	20	14
Stress at 300%		MPa	ISO 527-2	-	-	-	40	40	26	20
Elongation at break		%	ISO 527-2	260	230	240	393	341	546	562
Abrasion resistance		mm3	ISO 4649	25	28	33	26	31	29	27
Tear strength		N/mm	ISO 34-1	165	172	210	156	194	131	97
Rebound	At 25°C	%	ASTM 53512	26	25	36	37	38	51	60
	At 50°C			39	27	41	45	45	58	63
	At 75°C			52	46	48	55	52	65	66
Compression set 22 h at 70 °C		%	ISO 815-1	26	26	30	16	18	15	28
ETERNALAST® commercial grades		-	-	LD4089A	LD4041D	LD4055D	LS4095A	LS4055D	LS7093A	LS8094A

Physical and Mechanical Properties of the ETERNALAST® TPU Series by Grade
As we continue to witness the evolution of thermoplastic elastomers, the ETERNALAST® series serves as a benchmark in the industry, providing a glimpse into the future of high-performance materials capable of withstanding the challenges of a wide array of industrial and consumer applications.

The ETERNALAST® TPU range represents UBE's commitment to innovation and quality in the field of high-performance elastomers, offering customers a wide range of options for materials that withstand challenging conditions while delivering superior performance.

ETERNALAST® TPUs – Access the Complete Product Range

Select ETERNALAST® TPU grades by UBE to achieve improved thermal resistance in your elastomers. Analyze the technical data of each product, get technical assistance, or request samples.




DISCLAIMER: All images and tables used in this article are copyright of UBE.