Study, Mechanical Characterization and Mathematical Modeling of Compatible SEBS Blends for Industrial Applications in Orthopedics and Childcare

Abstract

In this work, a system of compatible blends based on two commercial grades of a thermoplastic elastomer, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS), with extreme Shore A hardness values (5 and 90), was studied in order to obtain a range of different performance blends for orthopedic and childcare applications, where usually liquid silicone rubber is used. Mechanical properties of different blends were obtained, and Equivalent Box Model (EBM) was used for the prediction of the mechanical behavior. The results show good agreement between the theoretical model and experimental data of new blends of SEBS.

Keywords:

• Blend
• EBM
• Mechanical characterization
• Modeling
• Orthopedics
• SEBS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank “Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología”, Ref: DPI2007-66849-C02-02 and Generalitat Valenciana FPA/2010/027 for financial support.