Thermo Plastic Elastomers (TPE) are growing faster than typical elastomers, mainly because of recyclability and easy processability as compared to the conventional elastomers. TPEs have attained more than 15% share of the total elastomeric material market in the last two decades. However, till recently, they were predominantly used to replace the common elastomeric materials. After achieving reasonably good success with TPEs, researchers have now set up their goals to seek a market share of the higher value added elastomeric material for more stringent technical demands. Some of the recent newer developments and their targeted applications are:

	TPSiV – Multibas, a part of Dow Corning, introduced this new silicone based vulcanizate. The crosslinked silicone rubber is introduced into the matrix of an engineering polymer such as Polyamide. The use of engineering polymer matrix helps in improving heat resistance. Other TPSiV grades have been engineered for communication devices, consumer goods and medical devices. One example is the recent commercialization of mobile cellular phone covers made of TPSiV, which reportedly outperformed other materials with a combination of high-temperature resistance, low-temperature flexibility, superior abrasion resistance, good bonding to thermoplastic substrates in two-shot molding, weathering resistance, colourability, and processability (reduced cycle times). Some of these grades also provide dry silky touch. Dupont and Zeon Chemicals are the two other suppliers.
	A second new class of TPVs is also emerging to fill a mid-range performance level. This type retains PP as the matrix, but incorporates a styrenic elastomer as the vulcanized rubber segment. Teknor Apex recently introduced such a product. This type of TPV improves compression set, oil resistance, as well as adhesion of conventional TPV, and is aimed at overmolded high-performance grips, seals and diaphragms.
	DuPont has recently introduced “engineering TPV” (ETPV) - a family combining a copolyester matrix material with a highly cross-linked rubber as the vulcanized segment. The rubber is AEM, a modified ethylene-acrylate. DuPont’s ETPV can be molded or extruded and is offered in 60 and 90 Shore A grades, both standard and heat-stabilized. The former sustain oil resistance at 150° C for over 1000 hours; the latter for over 3000 hours. DuPont ETPV is commercially used in spark-plug boots, truck air-brake hose and fuel-vent hose. Other promising applications are ducting, ignition seals, body plugs and CVJ boots. This new ETPV offers excellent resistance to engine fluids at temperatures from -40° C to 160° C..
	An early success for this product is the fuel-vapor tube developed by Teleflex Fluid Systems for a 2005 vehicle. ETPV is used in the exterior layer of a three-layer tube that comes in direct contact with high engine temperatures and fluids. The structure also includes a core layer of a vapor-barrier material and a conductive inner layer. The design reduces emissions and cuts cost when compared with the thermoset rubber tubing it replaces. ETPV’s elasticity facilitates installation with barbed connectors.
	Zeon Chemicals introduced a super-TPV combining nylon 6 as matrix with a cross-linked polyacrylate (ACM) rubber (future grades will use a copolyester matrix) in early 2003. This new grade withstands hot-oil immersion at 150° C over 3000 hours and also survives 175° C temperature spikes.
	Goodyear has recently introduced a new cross-linked elastomer in pelletized masterbatch form, for use as a tool to address deficits of conventional olefinic TPV and SEBS-type TPEs, namely poor oil resistance and compression-set resistance at high temperature. Goodyear’s new Serel masterbatches are a solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR) in a PP carrier. When blended with PP or SEBS, the SSBR would create hybrid TPVs featuring improved compression set, oil resistance, and wet coefficient of friction compared with conventional TPEs. Long-term bonding strength in overmolding is also said to be improved. Serel comes in pre-crosslinked and cross-linkable forms and can be tailored for different types (e.g. peroxide) and levels of cross-linking.
	Teknor Apex has developed a high-performance TPV using PP as the matrix, but substituting a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (SBC) for EPDM in the vulcanized phase. The resultant styrenic TPV (STPV) exhibits superior long-term elastic recovery, with just 5% deterioration of compression set in long-term testing at 125° C, versus 20% to 50% deterioration for conventional TPVs.
	STPVs reportedly also offer improved resistance to hot oils and solvents and up to 20% higher tensile strength than conventional TPV. Teknor scientists indicate that the superior properties are related to a secondary network of nano-scale (30-nm) hard PS domains in the rubber phase. This intensifies cross-linking and boosts elasticity of the STPVs. Teknor’s Uniprene XL grades come in 45 to 80 Shore A hardness and are aimed at molded seals, grommets, plugs, extruded automotive tubing and bellows, glazing strips, weather seals and electrical insulation.