Polyolefin Elastomers（POE）

The characteristics and use of POE

In January 1994, Dow Chemical Company in the United States launched a new type of polyolefin elastomer - POE (Polylefin Elastomers). Ethylene alpha octene copolymer: trade name Engage TM. POE was synthesized using InsiteTM technology, which combines a limited geometric configuration single active point metallocene catalyst with the company's high-temperature solution method. The content of octene ranged from 20% to 30%, the molecular weight distribution was narrow, and the density was 0.857 to 0.910.

This copolymer has extremely low crystallinity, narrow molecular weight distribution, and uniform distribution on its short branch chains, making it a high-performance polyolefin elastomer. In terms of physical properties, this polymer exhibits better transparency, elasticity, softness, lower density, odorlessness, low glass embrittlement temperature, good inclusiveness to inorganic fillers, and low hardness, making it widely used in various industries.

Its characteristics are:

(1) POE has the general characteristics of thermoplastic elastomers, such as formability, waste reuse, and vulcanization properties.

(2) The price is low and the relative density is small, so the volume price is low.

(3) Excellent heat and cold resistance, with a wide range of operating temperatures.

(4) Good weather resistance and aging resistance.

(5) The oil resistance, compression permanent deformation resistance, and wear resistance are not very good.

Based on the above structure and characteristics, POE is commonly used in the following industries:

1、 PP modification

POE has good resilience and flexibility, and its hardness is very low, with excellent cold resistance. Therefore, POE elastomers are widely used for toughening PP, improving its impact strength at room and low temperatures. Modified and toughened PP applications include automotive bumpers, car door panels, home appliance casings, office stationery, plastic parts for electric scooters and motorcycles, etc.

PP has low notch impact strength and particularly prominent low-temperature brittleness, which limits its application. The most widely used method currently is to improve the impact performance of PP by blending with elastomer POE.

POE is used as an impact modifier for PP, which has obvious advantages compared to traditional EPDM: firstly, POE is mixed with PP, eliminating the complex granulation or premixing process of block EPDM; Secondly, POE and PP have better mixing and dispersion effects. Compared with EPDM, the morphology of the blend is more refined, thus improving its impact resistance. Furthermore, using general rubber as an impact modifier for PP not only improves the impact strength but also reduces the yield strength of the product, while using POE can maintain high yield strength and flowability while toughening.

2、 Foam used in conjunction with EVA

The flexibility and rebound of POE are much higher than EVA. In many cases, the combination of POE and EVA foaming can have satisfactory results. Blending with EVA foaming can improve the elasticity and softness of shoe materials. The foamed product has the advantages of lighter weight, better compression and rebound, good tactile sensation, even and delicate foam pores, and high tear strength. Whether it is molded foam or injection foam after granulation, POE has been widely used in foam products such as midsole of beach shoes, slippers, sports shoes, mouse pads, seat cushions, polystyrene materials, insulation materials, cushioning sheets, luggage linings, etc.

3、 PA and other engineering plastics toughening and compatibilizers

Although the non-polar nature of POE leads to poor compatibility with engineering plastics such as PA and PET, POE can smoothly and effectively undergo grafting reactions with monomers such as MAH, GMA, and AA through peroxide initiation. The resulting grafting products are widely used to toughen engineering plastics such as PA, and can also be used as compatibilizers in plastic alloys.

4、 Improving PP/PE recycling performance

Due to the degradation or cross-linking after reprocessing, PP or PE recycled materials or crushed scraps become brittle and cannot be added in large quantities or directly used. Adding POE blending granulation or direct injection molding can greatly improve the performance of PP/PE recycled materials, which are used in applications such as plastic pallets, plastic turnover boxes, plastic toolboxes, plastic office desk and chair accessories, beach chairs, etc.

5、 Extrusion pipe industry

In the hose industry, especially in the extrusion winding corrugated pipe, the mixed use of EVA and POE results in products that are more flexible, have better resistance to bending and winding, are lighter, and have better resistance to environmental stress. Added to the inner layer of the extruded flat tube to provide a pollution resistant sealing for the hose, requiring a lower sealing temperature and higher sealing strength! Widely used in vacuum cleaner hoses, washing machine hoses, and drainage pipes.

6、 Color masterbatch or filling masterbatch

The extremely low crystallinity of POE makes it have good inclusiveness and excellent fluidity for filling, making it a carrier or a substitute for PE wax in color masterbatch or filling masterbatch, greatly improving the quality of color masterbatch or filling masterbatch.

7、 Hot melt adhesive

POE can replace EVA to produce high-end hot melt adhesive, which has better thermal stability than EVA. And the product can achieve no odor, low density, high flow coating ability, good wettability, etc. For example, hot melt adhesive used in the fields of packaging and non-woven fabrics. It can also be used in conjunction with EVA!

8、 Halogen free flame retardant cable material

This product has excellent electrical insulation performance, as well as characteristics such as ozone resistance, fire resistance, weather resistance, and anti-aging. It has high cross-linking efficiency and can replace EVA, EEA, or EBA for non PVC cable sheath materials; POE can fill a large amount of AL (OH) 3 or Mg (OH) 2, and its hardness and strength change rate is low. It has become a trend to replace EVA or produce halogen-free flame-retardant cable materials in combination with EVA. POE can also be effectively crosslinked using peroxides or irradiation.

9、 POE for EVA extrusion hose modification

In the hose industry, especially in the extrusion winding corrugated pipe, the mixed use of EVA and POE results in products that are more flexible, have better resistance to bending and winding, are lighter, and have better resistance to environmental stress. Added to the inner layer of the extruded flat tube to provide a pollution resistant sealing for the hose, requiring a lower sealing temperature and higher sealing strength! Widely used in vacuum cleaner hoses, washing machine hoses, drainage pipes, etc.

10、 HDPE toughening modified elastomer: can increase the toughness of HDPE injection/blow molded products, improve the environmental stress resistance of HDPE, improve the impact resistance of products (at room temperature and low temperature), and reduce the fragility and cracking of products. Suggested addition ratio: 3-5%; Can be used for trash cans, car blow molded parts, safety helmets, etc.

11、 Replacing soft PVC and EVA, it can be directly injection molded.

12、 Improve the low-temperature heat sealing performance and flexibility of CPP, BOPP, and PE films.

13、 Materials suitable for use in diapers, elastic waistlines, etc. for children or adults, including an inner layer and a composite layer. The inner layer is composed of two layers of POE compression molds, and the front and back composite layers of the double-layer POE compression film inner layer are non-woven fabric or plastic film. Non woven fabrics can be made using the straight-line combing method. The surface of non-woven fabrics or plastic films has elastic concave convex patterns, preferably in a tooth shape, to further improve the tensile effect of the composite material.

14、 Added to PE blow bottles, bottle caps, etc. Beneficial for PP's anti whitening properties. Improve the impact resistance of PE bottles, etc.

Has good moisture resistance. Good compatibility with asphalt, stable quality, good heat resistance, high tensile strength, and high elongation. Therefore, it is used for waterproofing membranes and modified asphalt, with aging resistance and can extend the lifespan of membranes. It is soluble in organic solvents such as alkanes, aromatics, high carbon alcohols, and esters, but insoluble in water and low molecular weight alcohols and ketones.

Due to its excellent adhesion and compatibility, it is widely used as a special masterbatch for blending with highly dispersed carbon black, dyes, etc. to produce polyethylene, polypropylene, or other polymers. It is widely used as a filling masterbatch and can be used as a plasticizer for plastics.

It can also be used as a substitute for other substances in construction, such as soundproof panels, waterproof membranes, waterproof paper, pipeline anti-corrosion coatings, house sealing agents, sealing materials, hot melt adhesives, etc.