Thermoplastic Elastomers
A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (16 August 2010) | Viewed by 14045
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Thermoplastic elastomers, a unique class of materials, are multiphase systems in which discreet plastic phases are embedded in a continuous elastomer phase. Though being macroscopically homogeneous, these polymers phase-separate at a microscopic (nanometer to micrometer) scale. Thermoplastic elastomers TPEs can be considered “green” rubbers. They exhibit rubbery properties at room temperature yet can be processed as plastics at elevated temperatures. This allows recycling or reuse of these materials. TPEs are used in many applications, including commodity areas such as show soles or soft-touch handles on sports equipment and toothbrushes, or specialty applications such as biomaterials. There are also of great academic interest because of their ability to self-assemble and form unique phase morphologies.
In this special issue we will highlight the potential of thermoplastic elastomers for biomedical applications. Papers introducing new TPEs for implant, drug delivery and other biomedical applications, or new areas of application of existing TPEs will be highlighted. Papers discussing novel phase morphologies, surfaces and structure-property relationships are also welcome.
Prof. Dr. Judit E. Puskas
Guest Editor
Keywords
- thermoplastic elastomer
- rubber
- multiphase systems
- biomedical applications
- self-assembly
- phase morphology
- structure
- properties
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