Grades Suitable for Compatibilizing Styrenic and Olefinic Resins

Asahi Kasei's TUFTEC™ compatibilizes styrenic resins and olefinic resins, which typically do not mix. We offer the optimal grade based on the type and blending ratio of the resins being mixed.

Grades Suitable for Compatibilizing Styrenic and Olefinic Resins

Achieving Polymer Alloys with Superior Mechanical Properties

By using TUFTEC™ as a compatibilizer, it is possible to reinforce the PP/PS interface and achieve a polymer alloy with superior mechanical properties. This page explains the excellent compatibilizing mechanism of TUFTEC&trage; and optimal grades based on the styrene content in polymer alloys.

Detailed Information on Grades Suitable for Compatibilizing "Styrenic Resins × Olefinic Resins"


Optimal Grades

TUFTEC™ offers a variety of optimal grades based on the styrene content in SEBS.

Grade Map

Why TUFTEC™ Excels at Compatibilizing Styrenic-Olefinic Resins

TUFTEC™ is composed of polystyrene blocks and hydrogenated polybutadiene (ethylene-butylene) blocks. The polystyrene blocks have good compatibility with styrenic resins, while the hydrogenated polybutadiene blocks have good compatibility with olefinic resins, making it highly effective as a compatibilizer for styrenic resin/olefinic resin alloys.

Illustration of why TUFTEC™ excels at compatibilizing styrenic-olefinic resins.

TUFTEC™ Enables Polymer Alloys with Superior Mechanical Properties

Polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) are resins that do not mix with each other, so if they are alloyed without using a compatibilizer, the two resins tend to separate. Also, the weak bonding at the PP/PS interface causes a decrease in impact resistance. However, the addition of TUFTEC™ promotes compatibilization between PP and PS and strengthens the bonding at the interface. As a result, it becomes possible to obtain a polymer alloy with improved mechanical properties.

Left: Appearance of PP-HIPS polymer alloy without TUFTEC™. Not uniformly dispersed.
Right: Appearance of PP-HIPS polymer alloy with TUFTEC™. Uniformly dispersed.

Left: Appearance of PP-HIPS polymer alloy without TUFTEC™. Not uniformly dispersed. Right: Appearance of PP-HIPS polymer alloy with TUFTEC™. Uniformly dispersed.

TUFTEC™ Improves Interface Strength, Preventing Molding Cracks

When TUFTEC™ is used as a compatibilizer, the interface strength of PP/PS increases, reducing interface delamination. Therefore, it is possible to suppress cracking when fatigue is applied to the molded product.

Left: Flexural test of molded product without TUFTEC™. Cracking occurred.
Right: Flexural test of molded product with TUFTEC™. Cracking is minimized even with the same pressure strength.

Without TUFTEC™ cracking occurs. With TUFTEC™ flexural properties are improved.

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