Polyether block amide or PEBA is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). It is also known under the tradename of PEBAX. It is a block copolymer obtained by polycondensation of a carboxylic acid polyamide (PA6, PA11, PA12) with an alcohol termination polyether (PTMG, PEG). The general chemical structure is:
PEBA is a high performance thermoplastic elastomer. It is used to replace common elastomers – thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyester elastomers, and silicons - for these characteristics: lower density among TPE, superior mechanical and dynamic properties (flexibility, impact resistance, energy return, fatigue resistance) and keeping these properties at low temperature (lower than -40 °C), and good resistance against a wide range of chemicals.
Applications
PEBA is found in the sports equipment market: for damping system components and outsoles of high end shoes (running, track & field, football, baseball, basketball, trekking, etc.) where it is appreciated for its low density, damping properties, energy return and flexibility. PEBA is also appreciated by winter sports amateur as it enables design of lightest alpine and Nordic ski boots while providing some resistance to extreme environment (low temperatures, UV exposure, moisture). It is used in various other sports applications such as racquet grommet sand golf balls.
PEBA is used in medical products such as catheters for its flexibility, its good mechanical properties at low and high temperatures, and its softness.
It is also widely used in the manufacture of electric and electronic goods such as cables and wire coatings, electronic device casings, components, etc.
PEBA can be used to make textiles as well as breathable film, fresh feeling fibres or non-woven fabrics.
Some hydrophilic grades of PEBA are also used for their antistatic and antidust properties. Since no chemical additives are required to achieve these properties, products can be recycled at end of life.
Physical Properties
Template:Entête tableau charte ! Properties ! Unit ! Value |----- | Melting Point | °C | 134–174 |-Template:Ligne grise | Density | g/cm³ | 1.00 |----- | Water absorption at equilibrium (23 °C, 50% RH) | % | 0.4–0.7 |-Template:Ligne grise | Water absorption at saturation (23 °C, 24H in water) | % | 0.9–1.2 |----- | Shore Hardness | Shore D | 25–72 |-Template:Ligne grise | Flexural modulus | MPa | 12–513 |----- | Tensile strength at break | MPa | 32-56 |-Template:Ligne grise | Elongation at break | % | 300–750 |----- | Impact resistance (Charpy, notched) | kJ/m² | No break |-Template:Ligne grise | Abrasion resistance (10 N/40 m) | mm³ | 55–130 |----- | Surface resistivity | Ω | 109–1013 |-Template:Ligne grise | Volume resistivity | Ω·cm | 109–1013 |}