Patent ID: 7015284
Filing Date: 2006-03-21
Classification: C08L

Abstract:
1. A thermoplastic elastomer composition that is made by a process comprising: (1) mixing (A) a block copolymer comprising a first polymeric block that is comprised of repeat units that are derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer and a second block that is comprised of repeat units that are derived from a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein the repeat units in the second block are hydrogenated, and wherein the repeat units in the second block are elastomeric in nature, (B) a crosslinkable elastomer, wherein the crosslinkable elastomer is comprised of repeat units that are derived from 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, and a vinyl aromatic monomer, wherein the repeat units in the crosslinkable elastomer are distributed in a random manner, and wherein the crosslinkable elastomer is coupled with a tin coupling agent or a silicon coupling agent, and (C) an oil, to produce an un-crosslinked three component blend; and (2) dynamically crosslinking the crosslinkable elastomer in the un-crosslinked three component blend during a thermo-mechanical mixing step; wherein the thermoplastic elastomer composition is void of thermoplastic resins, wherein said thermoplastic resins are not retractable to their original shape after being stretched and released beyond their yield point.