Polyether block amide or PEBA is a

thermoplastic elastomer Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), sometimes referred to as thermoplastic rubbers, are a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers (usually a plastic and a rubber) that consist of materials with both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties. ...

(TPE). It is known under the tradename of PEBAX® ( Arkema) and VESTAMID® E (

Evonik Industries Evonik Industries AG is a stock-listed German specialty chemicals company headquartered in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the second largest chemicals company in Germany, and one of the largest specialty chemicals companies in the ...

). It is a

block copolymer In polymer chemistry, a copolymer is a polymer derived from more than one species of monomer. The polymerization of monomers into copolymers is called copolymerization. Copolymers obtained from the copolymerization of two monomer species are ...

obtained by

polycondensation In polymer chemistry, condensation polymers are any kind of polymers whose process of polymerization involves a condensation reaction (i.e. a small molecule, such as water or methanol, is produced as a byproduct). Condensation polymers are for ...

of a carboxylic acid

polyamide A polyamide is a polymer with repeating units linked by amide bonds. Polyamides occur both naturally and artificially. Examples of naturally occurring polyamides are proteins, such as wool and silk. Artificially made polyamides can be made through ...

( PA6, PA11, PA12) with an alcohol termination polyether ( Polytetramethylene glycol PTMG), PEG). The general chemical structure is: : H O - ( C O - PA - C O - O - PE - O)_n - H PEBA is a high performance thermoplastic elastomer. It is used to replace common elastomers – thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyester elastomers, and silicones - 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. It is sensitive to

UV degradation In polymer chemistry photo-oxidation (sometimes: oxidative photodegradation) is the degradation of a polymer surface due to the combined action of light and oxygen. It is the most significant factor in the weathering of plastics. Photo-oxidatio ...

, however.

Applications

PEBA is found in the

sports equipment Sports equipment, sporting equipment, also called sporting goods, are the tools, materials, apparel, and gear used to compete in a sport and varies depending on the sport. The equipment ranges from balls, nets, and protective gear like helmets. ...

market: for damping system components and midsoles 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 participants as it enables design of the lightest alpine and Nordic

ski boot Ski boots are footwear used in skiing to provide a way to attach the skier to skis using ski bindings. The ski/boot/binding combination is used to effectively transmit control inputs from the skier's legs to the snow. History Ski boots were lea ...

s while providing some resistance to extreme environment (low temperatures, UV exposure, moisture). It is used in various other sports applications such as racquet grommets and golf balls. PEBA is used in medical products such as

catheter In medicine, a catheter (/ˈkæθətər/) is a thin tubing (material), tube made from medical grade materials serving a broad range of functions. Catheters are medical devices that can be inserted in the body to treat diseases or perform a surgi ...

s 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 Nonwoven fabric is a fabric-like material made from staple fibre (short) and long fibres (continuous long), bonded together by chemical, mechanical, heat or solvent treatment. The term is used in the textile manufacturing industry to denote fabri ...

fabrics. Some

hydrophilic A hydrophile is a molecule or other molecular entity that is attracted to water molecules and tends to be dissolved by water.Liddell, H.G. & Scott, R. (1940). ''A Greek-English Lexicon'' Oxford: Clarendon Press. In contrast, hydrophobes are ...

grades of PEBA are also used for their

antistatic An antistatic agent is a compound used for treatment of materials or their surfaces in order to reduce or eliminate buildup of static electricity. Static charge may be generated by the triboelectric effect or by a non-contact process using a high ...

and antidust properties. Since no chemical additives are required to achieve these properties, products can be recycled at end of life.

Physical properties

References

{{cite book, title=Handbook of Condensation Thermoplastic Elastomers , editor-last=Fakirov , editor-first=Stoyko , last=Eustache , first=R.-P. , chapter=Poly(Ether –b-Amide) TPE: Structure, Properties and Applications , year=2005 , publisher=Wiley , doi=10.1002/3527606610.ch10 Elastomers Copolymers Polymers