Grades Suitable for Polypropylene (PP) Modification

Asahi Kasei's TUFTEC™ is widely used for various PP modification applications, including “flexibility,” “transparency,” “impact resistance improvement,” and “heat sealability.”

TUFTEC™ - Ideal for PP Modification

Asahi Kasei's TUFTEC™ can be used as a modifier for polypropylene (PP). This page provides information on the optimal grades for three PP modification applications: “flexibility and transparency,” “impact resistance improvement,” and “heat sealability.”

Functions for Polypropylene (PP) Modification with TUFTEC™

Grades Suitable for PP Flexibility and Transparency Enhancement

TUFTEC™ offers three recommended grades for flexibility and transparency enhancement, depending on the desired degree of flexibility, transparency, and other properties.

TUFTEC™ H1221

Enables PP flexibility while imparting transparency. Additionally, it reduces stress whitening caused by fatigue.

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TUFTEC™ H1521

Enables PP flexibility while imparting transparency. It reduces stress whitening caused by fatigue. Due to its relatively high MFR, it exhibits good compatibility with low viscosity PP.

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L523 (Trial grade)

Enables greater flexibility and transparency. It exhibits low anisotropy within the PP matrix, ensuring stable mechanical properties of the molded product.
(For details, please contact us)

Mechanism of Flexibility and Transparency Enhancement with TUFTEC™

Polypropylene (PP) has a glass transition point near 0°C, leading to challenges such as embrittlement at low temperatures and reduced transparency due to light scattering caused by crystalline particles.

TUFTEC™ addresses these issues. Adding TUFTEC™ TUFTEC™ reduces the flexural modulus of PP, enabling great flexibility. Compared to olefinic elastomers (POE) and general-purpose SEBS, the effect of TUFTEC™ is particularly remarkable (see figure below).

Furthermore, TUFTEC™ enhances transparency of PP products. TUFTEC™ designed for PP modification exhibits exceptional compatibility with PP, effectively inhibiting crystallization through uniform dispersion. This significantly improves the transparency of PP products (see figure below).

Left: Adding TUFTEC to polypropylene results in a greater change in flexural modulus compared to POE, etc.
Right: Polypropylene with TUFTEC (center) exhibits higher transparency compared to unmodified or general-purpose elastomers.

Change in flexural modulus by adding TUFTEC. Transparency enhancement by TUFTEC

Grades Suitable for PP Impact Resistance Improvement

TUFTEC™ H1062

With a glass transition point around -50℃, blending it with PP imparts excellent low-temperature performance.

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Reason for PP Impact Resistance Improvement with TUFTEC™

Polypropylene (PP) has a glass transition point around 0°C, making it susceptible to embrittlement at low temperatures.

TUFTEC™ H1062:
With tanδ peak around -50℃ (glass transition point is -50℃) enables to impart excellent low-temperature impact resistance in polypropylene. Moreover, the butadiene-derived soft block is fully hydrogenated, ensuring excellent weatherability and heat aging resistance.

Left: TUFTEC™ H1062 imparts excellent low-temperature impact resistance.
Right: PP with TUFTEC™ H1062 exhibits significantly improved impact resistance compared to when general-purpose SEBS is added.

Dynamic viscoelasticity of TUFTEC™ H1062. Impact resistance improvement by TUFTEC™ H1062

Grades Suitable for Imparting Heat Sealability to PP

TUFTEC™ offers three recommended grades for heat sealability enhancement, based on the desired heat seal strength.

TUFTEC™ H1221

High compatibility with PP, imparting high heat sealability. It exhibits high seal strength, enhancing product reliability.

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TUFTEC™ H1062

Imparting a gradual change in seal strength upon blending. By adjusting the blend ratio, easy peelability can be imparted.

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TUFTEC™ H1521

High compatibility with PP, imparting a gradual change in seal strength upon blending. It exhibits good flowability, making it excellent for processing.

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Why TUFTEC™ Enables Heat Sealability Enhancement for PP

Blending TUFTEC™ with polypropylene (PP) imparts heat sealability. The heat sealability of TUFTEC™ varies depending on the grade and blend ratio. It can be classified into Type A and Type B, imparting different seal strengths. By combining Type A and Type B TUFTEC™ in the sealant layer and adjusting the blend ratio, heat seal strength can be customized.

Type A (H1221)
Exhibits high heat seal strength at 150℃. The seal curve rises sharply, resulting in films with high sealability.
Type B (H1062)
Exhibits weak seal strength around 150℃. The seal curve rises gradually, allowing for easy control of seal strength by adjusting the heat seal temperature.

Polypropylene with Type A (H1221) TUFTEC™ exhibits high strength at any temperature above 150°C. On the other hand, Type B (H1062) TUFTEC™ shows gradual changes in seal strength depending on the temperature, making it a grade that is easy to adjust the heat seal temperature.