pps proceeding
Symposium: S08 - Rubbers and Elestomers Poster Presentation
Accelerated ageing behaviour of Poly Ether Block Amide (Pebax) and Polybutylene Terephatlate Polyester (Arnitel) Copolyester Thermoplastic Elastomers
Ullah Jawad (1), Dixon Dorian (1)*, Saifullah Abu (2), Dooher Thomas (1), Magee Ciaran (3)
(1) School of Engineering, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, BT37 0QB - County Antrim - UnitedKingdom, (2) School of Mechanical and Design Engineering, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth - Hampshire - UnitedKingdom, (3) Armstrong Medical, Coleraine - County Londonderry - UnitedKingdom
Thermoplastic elastomers PEBAX (PA 1074)) and two grades of Arnitel (VT3108, VT7812) (Polybutylene terephthalate alternating with soft segment on Polymer backbone) which are commonly used in a range of medical devices were aged at temperatures of 40-80℃ for a period of up to 324 days and at 60℃ with elevated humidity. Understanding the effects of ageing on the behaviour of these thermoplastic elastomers which are commonly used in safety medical applications is crucial. The samples were characterised during ageing via mechanical testing, thermal analysis (TGA and DSC) and using FTIR. It was observed that the samples discoloured during aging with greater changes observed at the higher ageing temperatures. The materials also display increased brittleness as a result of ageing, with the PEBAX showing more pronounced changes than the two grades of Arnitel tested.