Patent ID: 11274195

Abstract:
Thermoplastic elastomers comprising micronized or pulverized rubber powders are disclosed having physical properties equivalent to those of virgin thermoplastic elastomers. For example, the use of finer mesh MRP (e.g., particles of size that would pass through 40 mesh or smaller) to manufacture thermoplastic elastomers results in thermoplastic elastomers that have physical properties equivalent to those of virgin thermoplastic elastomers. Similarly, the use of a glycidyl functional terpolymer (optionally in combination with trimellitic anhydride or “TMA”) to manufacture thermoplastic elastomers comprising MRP results in thermoplastic elastomers that have physical properties equivalent to those of virgin thermoplastic elastomers. Moreover, the use of styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene thermoplastic (e.g., “SEBS”) in place of the base polypropylene thermoplastic elastomer to manufacture thermoplastic elastomers comprising MRP also results in thermoplastic elastomers that have physical properties equivalent to those of virgin thermoplastic elastomers.