Development of a new high temperature thermoplastic vulcanizated

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Thermoplastic vulcanizates constitute a class of polymeric alloys that retain their ability to melt and flow,**which means they are recyclable unlike their comparable counterpart of vulcanized rubbers. These materials are**popular in automotive, consumer, construction and health-care applications, providing acoustic and mechanical**dampening as well as sealing properties. They are composed of a thermoplastic polymer matrix, like**polypropylene, and contain a dispersed dynamically vulcanized rubber phase. The degree of crosslinking**(vulcanization) must be carefully controlled and conducted at the same time as the rubber phase is being**blended into the thermoplastic matrix. Done incorrectly, the crosslinking rubber will not be blend-able or**worse, damage millions of dollars of processing equipment. Considering the complexity of the method to**prepare a thermoplastic vulcanizate, it is not surprising how infrequent new materials have evolved in this class**of polymers. BASF intends to develop a new high temperature thermoplastic vulcanizate based on a polyamide**matrix and are interested in collaborating with McMaster University in studying different aspects of preparing**this new elastomer by extrusion techniques. This new material would address heat tolerance deficiencies in the**current elastomers, used for fabricating parts needing dimensional stability at much higher operating**temperatures such as mounts in the car engine compartment, or seals for fuel cell stacks for example.**While the ultimate material includes a complex set of fillers and additives to be mixed at the same time in**order to tune properties for the customer, the immediate objective of this short evaluation project is to evaluate**the key issue of simultaneously crosslinking the rubber phase while dispersing it in chemical different**polyamide phase. A larger, more detailed study and progress along product development can not proceed till**this step is established as reasonably achievable. The proposed new thermoplastic vulcanizate will benefit**BASF as a competitor to other resins in the market. BASF has a major presence in Canada with multiple sites**in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan and its competitive strength benefits the economy of Canada.