Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)

INTRODUCING EN-PRENE
En Chuan Chemical's SBS thermoplastic elastomer, commercially named EN-PRENE, is a strong, elastic andhighly versatile synthetic rubber. Its distinctive block molecular structure can be precisely controlled and tailored for a variety of applications  and its wide latitude in compounding further expands its usefulness.

EN-PRENE thermoplastic elastomer is typically blended with other polymers, resins, oils and / or fillers to enhance process ability and to achieve optimal performance in a wide array of end uses. It is suitable to manufacture shoe sole material, shock-absorbing material, packing material, grips, anti-slip pads, rubber and plastic modification, paths, roofing sheet, and asphalt modification.

EN-PRENE can be processed by common thermoplastic techniques, including: injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding. In many aspects, its strength and elongation properties are equal to those of vulcanized rubbers, which allow customers to achieve maximum potential with a more simplified process.

A High-Performance Product

EN-PRENE is made from a unique arrangement of styrene and butadiene molecules, which are polymerized to form discrete blocks of polystyrene and polybutadiene in the same three-dimensional polymer chain. The result is a polymer with elastic properties that remain flexible at low temperature extremes and resist flow at high temperature extremes.

EN-PRENE thermoplastic elastomer can be broken down into two categories: radial, which is typically represented by a tetra-branched structure and provides efficiency in most processes, and linear, which allows for easier processing. Both are structures formed by a high molecular weight of polystyrene and polybutadiene copolymers which mix with other identical structures to create massive polystyrene globe forms attached by strands of polybutadiene. As the polystyrene blocks encounter the Glass Transition Temperature (100°C or above), they're softened, and the Whole structure of polystyrene/polybutadiene becomes loose and reformable under outer pressure.  The process is reversed by reducing the temperature to under 100°C. The polystyrene terminal blocks rigidly attach to each other to form a three-dimensional cross linked network, in which the polybutadiene blocks provide the elasticity of rubber.

Maximize Your Production

With its ease of processing, EN-PRENE is an ideal replacement for conventional rubbers and other thermoplastics. Its variety of uses includes footwear, impact modification of rigid thermoplastics, bitumen modification, as a shrink control agent and various other applications of rubber goods. Because its molecular structure can be precisely controlled and tailored to perform in specific applications, EN-PRENE is ideal for a wide variety of applications. EN-PRENE, unlike vulcanized materials, also offers process reversibility to help minimize material costs. Through the heating process, it can be molded, extruded, mixed or processed in any fashion, yet retain its shape and original strength after cooling, and can be recycled from scrap material.

Meeting the Challenge

EN-PRENE is manufactured by En Chuan Chemical, a Taiwanese company with a reputation for quality products and technical excellence.

En Chuan Chemical developed its SBS technology from the ground up in 1992, investing millions of dollars to construct an SBC plant capable of producing 50,000 metric tons of SBS thermoplastic elastomers a year. The state-of-the-art facility, located in the Chuan Hsing Industry area near Taichung port, is a testament to En Chuan's expertise of the SBS technology. En Chuan Chemical is using that same business know-how to help its customers take advantage of existing applications for EN-PRENE, as well as develop new grades to meet specific customer requirements.