Abstract
The tensile strength, tear resistance and abrasion resistance of four different types of commercial thermoplastic elastomers have been studied and their fracture surfaces examined by scanning electron microscopy. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) showed elastic deformation under tensile fracture, whereas in 1,2 polybutadiene (1,2 PB) the fracture was initiated by craze formation and propagated by tear failure. Styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer (K1107) showed ductile type failure whereas in styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer containing a higher proportion of styrene and silica filler (K5152), the fracture occurred by shearing action. The tear failure surfaces of the thermoplastic elastomers showed different fracture patterns which could be correlated with the tear strength of the materials. The tear fracture surface of 1,2 PB showed stick-slip tear lines and that of TPU had a broad tear path with vertical striations. The fracture surfaces of K5152 and K1107 had the characteristics of laminar tearing and uninterrupted continuous tearing processes, respectively. The abrasion resistance of the samples was in the order TPU>1,2 PB>K5152, which was manifested through the type of ridge patterns formed on the abraded surfaces. Abraded surfaces of TPU, 1,2 PB and K5152 showed closely spaced stable ridges, widely spaced ridges bridged by elongated fibrils and highly deformed ridges, respectively.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
L. Mullins,Rubber Devel. 31 (1978) 92.
D. S. Campbell, D. J. Elliott andM. A. Wheelans,Nat. Rubb. Technol. 9 (2) (1978) 21.
B. M. Walker, “Handbook of Thermoplastic Elastomers” (Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1979).
C. Holden, “Current Applications of Styrenic Block Compolymers”, 121st Meeting of the Rubber Division, American Chemical Society Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 4–7 May (1982).
A. Whelan andK. S. Lee, “Developments in Rubber Technology-3, Thermoplastic Rubbers” (Applied Science, London, 1982).
L. E. Fithian,Rubber World 184 (6) (1981) 34.
G. E. O'Connor andM. A. Fath,ibid. 185 (4) (1982) 26.
A. Y. Coran, R. P. Patel andD. Williams,Rubber Chem. Technol. 55 (1982) 116.
L. E. Fithian,Elastomerics 115 (6) (1983) 21.
W. D. Bascom,Rubber Chem. Technol. 50 (1977) 327.
A. K. Bhowmick, S. Basu andS. K. De,ibid. 53 (1980) 321.
N. M. Mathew andS. K. De,Polymer 23 (1982) 632.
N. M. Mathew, A. K. Bhowmick, B. K. Dhindaw andS. K. De,J. Mater. Sci. 17 (1982) 2594.
V. M. Murthy andS. K. De,J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 27 (1982) 4611.
N. M. Mathew andS. K. De,J. Mater. Sci. 18 (1983) 515.
W. D. Bascom, R. L. Cottington, R. L. Jones andP. Peyser,J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 19 (1975) 2545.
S. Kunz-Douglass, P. W. R. Beaumont andM. F. Ashby,J. Mater. Sci. 15 (1980) 1109.
M. Atsuta andD. T. Turner,Polym. Eng. Sci. 22 (18), (1982) 1199.
S. Danesi andRoger S. Porter,Polymer 19 (1978) 448.
E. N. Kresge, in “Polymer Blends”, Vol. 2, edited by D. R. Paul and S. Newman (Academic Press, New York, 1982) p. 309.
L. F. Ramos-De Valle andR. R. Ramirez,Rubber Chem. Technol. 55 (1982) 1328.
Baby Kuriakose andS. K. De, to be published.
Baby Kuriakose, S. K. Chakraborty andS. K. De,Mater. Chem. Phys, in press.
S. Wolkenbreit, in “Handbook of Thermoplastic Elastomers”, edited by B. M. Walker (Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1979) p. 220.
D. J. Harrop, in “Developments in Rubber Technology-3, Thermoplastic Rubbers”, edited by A. Whelan and K. S. Lee (Applied Science, London, 1982) p. 153.
R. D. Lundberg, in “Handbook of Thermoplastic Elastomers”, edited by B. M. Walker (Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1979) p. 277.
J. C. West andS. L. Cooper, in “Science and Technology of Rubber”, edited by F. R. Eirich (Academic Press, New York, 1978) p. 562.
L. Engel, H. Klingele, G. W. Ehrenstein andH. Schaper, in “An Atlas of Polymer Damage”, translated by M. S. Welling (Wolfe, London, 1981) p. 140.
C. B. Bucknall in “Polymer Blends”, Vol. 2, edited by D. R. Paul and S. Newman (Academic Press, New York, 1982) p. 93.
S. K. Chakraborty andS. K. De,J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 27 (1982) 4561.
A. N. Gent andC. T. R. Pulford, in “Development in Polymer Fracture-1”, edited by E. H. Andrews (Applied Science, London, 1979) p. 155.
A. K. Bhowmick,Rubber Chem. Technol. 55 (1982) 1055.
A. K. Bhowmick, S. Basu andS. K. De,J. Mater. Sci. 16 (1980) 1654.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kuriakose, B., De, S.K. Scanning electron microscopy studies on tensile, tear and abrasion failure of thermoplastic elastomers. J Mater Sci 20, 1864–1872 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00555295
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00555295