Objective A-B-A block copolymers were synthesized using an original Microemulsion Polymerization technology, called "Branching & Pseudoliving", able to prepare FTPEs having a network structure containing both physical and chemical links: Physical link: obtained by the segregation and crystallization of the hard polymer blocks. This is the characteristic link that leads to the network structure of traditional block copolymer thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). Chemical link: obtained by the "Branching and Pseudoliving" technology. This is similar to the characteristic link that constitutes the network structure of traditional thermoset elastomers. However, in this last case, chemical links are formed through a chemical crosslinking reaction, with all the problems associated with the rubber processing, such as no scrap recycling, compounding and toxic volatile emissions. The presence of both links confers, to the FTPEs developed by the present research project, an outstanding high temperature resistance in comparison to known commercial FTPEs. The high temperature stability of the network is higher and closer to thermoset elastomers, while maintaining the reversible nature, characteristic of melt processable polymers. Important additional tools were developed by the Consortium research activity, such as the annealing and radiation curing process, which improves the network stability and increases its high temperature resistance. In particular, it was found that the application of radiation crosslinking gives a surprisingly further contribution to the high temperature stability of the network, allowing applications in high demanding fields. FTPEs with tailored molecular weight distribution, showing excellent flowing and processing behaviors, were prepared by a special "multicomponent addition technique".Thermoplastic elastomers are characterized to have at room temperature properties similar to traditional elastomers in the vulcanized state and to be processable by the classic technology of thermoplastic polymers.Advantages of these products are:- easier processing due to the absence of chemical cross-linking, presence of fillers and additives.- possibility of an easier recycling.The main disadvantage of thermoplastic elastomers is the loss of properties at temperature higher than about 50 C. This disadvantage is particular important for fluorinated thermoplastic elastomers since fluoroelastomers find their principle applications at very high temperature thanks to the high fluorine-carbon bond strength.The main objective of the present project is the development of fluorinated thermoplastic elastomers to be employed at high temperature.The major research tasks are:1. Basic laboratory polymerization study.2. Prototype formulation development for process design.3. Processing tests and sample preparation/evaluation.4. Functional test. Fields of science engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesrecyclingnatural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciences Programme(s) FP3-BRITE/EURAM 2 - Specific programme (EEC) of research and technological development in the field of industrial and materials technologies, 1990-1994 Topic(s) 1.3.3 - Polymers and polymer matrix composites Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator Ausimont SpA EU contribution No data Address Via St. Pietro 50 20021 Bollate Milano Italy See on map Total cost No data Participants (3) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Aérospatiale Société Nationale Industrielle SA France EU contribution No data Address 12 rue Pasteur 92152 Suresnes See on map Total cost No data MERCEDES-BENZ AG Germany EU contribution No data Address MERCEDESSTRAßE 136 7000 STUTTGART See on map Total cost No data PARKER-PRAEDIFA GMBH Germany EU contribution No data Address ARNOLD-JAEGER-STRAßE 7120 BIETIGHEIM-BISSINGEN See on map Total cost No data
