Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) is a high-performance thermoplastic copolymer derived from polyolefins, such as ethylene and alpha-olefins (e.g., propylene, butene, or octene). Renowned for its exceptional flexibility, superior impact resistance, and ease of processing, POE is widely used across industries, including automotive, packaging, wire and cable, consumer goods, and medical applications.
Offered in granular form, POE combines toughness at low temperatures, chemical resistance, and excellent compatibility with other polymers, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional rubbers and high-cost elastomers like EPDM and TPU. By adjusting its density and molecular structure, POE can range from soft and highly elastic to semi-rigid, catering to diverse application needs.
Tolymer supplies a wide range of high-quality POE grades, delivering tailored solutions that enhance product performance while optimizing production costs. This material adds significant value to end products by improving durability, safety, and cost-efficiency.
Polyolefin Elastomer stands out for its unique combination of flexibility, durability, and environmental resistance, making it a preferred choice for high-performance industrial and consumer products. With excellent impact resistance, stability across a temperature range of -40°C to 80°C, and compatibility with polymers like polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE), POE offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional materials such as EPDM and TPU.
Key Applications Include:
Automotive Industry:
Interior and exterior components, such as bumpers, dashboard parts, and seals, requiring flexibility and impact resistance.
Packaging:
Soft, durable films for industrial and food packaging, offering high stretchability and tear resistance.
Wire and Cable:
Flexible, electrically insulating cable coatings for electrical and telecommunications applications.
Consumer Goods:
Soft grips for tools, flexible toy components, and other products requiring safety and comfort.
Medical Industry:
Soft, biocompatible components like seals for medical devices, ensuring flexibility and compliance with safety standards.
POE enables manufacturers to produce competitive, high-quality products with enhanced durability, safety, and user comfort.
Polymer Base:
Ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers (e.g., propylene, butene, or octene) with densities ranging from 0.86 to 0.90 g/cm³, enabling tailored flexibility.
Base Additives:
Antioxidants and thermal stabilizers to prevent degradation during processing.
UV Stabilizers:
Enhance resistance to sunlight for outdoor applications, ensuring long-term durability.
Plasticizers:
Adjust hardness and flexibility for specific grades.
Fillers:
Calcium carbonate or talc to reduce costs and improve mechanical strength.
Specialized Additives:
Flame retardants for safety, pigments for aesthetics, and biocompatible additives for medical applications compliant with FDA and REACH standards.
(0.86–0.88 g/cm³):
Features:
Exceptional flexibility, rubber-like elastomeric properties, and superior impact resistance at low temperatures.
Applications:
Cable coatings, soft packaging films, and tool grips.
Example: Flexible coatings for telecommunications cables.
(0.88–0.90 g/cm³):
Features:
Balanced flexibility and strength, good impact resistance, and processability with a Melt Flow Index (MFI) of 1–10 g/10 min.
Applications:
Automotive interior components, industrial seals, and lightweight foams.
Example: Automotive door seals.
Features:
Contains UV stabilizers for up to 5 years of outdoor durability, reducing degradation and maintaining performance.
Applications:
Exterior automotive trim, agricultural films, and outdoor cable coatings.
Example:
Decorative automotive bumper strips.
Features:
Meets UL 94 V-0 standards, ensuring high fire safety while retaining flexibility.
Applications:
Electrical cable coatings, industrial insulators, and safety-critical components.
Example:
Insulation for high-voltage electrical cables.
Features:
Non-toxic, compliant with FDA and REACH standards, offering flexibility and safety for human contact.
Applications:
Medical device seals, hospital equipment components, and medical packaging.
Example:
Seals for pharmaceutical pumps.
Features:
Enhanced strength with fillers like talc, improved resistance to deformation, and cost reduction.
Applications:
Durable automotive components, industrial seals, and robust consumer goods.
Example:
Automotive dashboard components.
Features:
Lightweight cellular structure (density 0.2–0.4 g/cm³), excellent thermal and acoustic insulation, and high impact absorption.
Applications:
Automotive insulation foams, protective packaging layers, and sports equipment foams.
Example:
Protective foam for electronics packaging.
UV-resistant and medium-density POE for decorative trims and seals, improving durability and weather resistance. Filled grades for rigid interior parts like dashboards enhance aesthetics and longevity.
Low-density and flame-retardant POE for flexible, electrically insulating coatings, ensuring safety and performance in electrical and telecom cables.
Low-density POE for soft, tear-resistant films used in food and industrial packaging, ensuring product safety and protection.
Biocompatible POE for soft seals in pharmaceutical pumps and hospital equipment, enhancing safety and reliability.
Low-density POE for soft tool grips and toy components, providing comfort and safety for daily use.
Polyolefin Elastomer is an ideal choice for industrial and consumer applications due to its elastomeric properties and ease of processing. Key advantages include:
High Flexibility:
With a density of 0.86–0.90 g/cm³, POE offers rubber-like elasticity, perfect for cable coatings and seals.
Superior Impact Resistance:
High toughness (elongation at break up to 800%) makes it suitable for automotive parts and packaging films.
Low-Temperature Stability:
Reliable performance at -40°C, ideal for outdoor and automotive applications.
Ease of Processing:
MFI of 1–10 g/10 min and processing temperatures of 180–220°C enable fast production via extrusion or injection molding.
Polymer Compatibility:
Seamless blending with PP and PE for polymer alloys in automotive and packaging applications.
Chemical Resistance:
Resists oils and weak chemicals, suitable for industrial and automotive components.
Cost-Effectiveness:
Up to 25% cheaper than EPDM and TPU, reducing production costs in cable and packaging industries.
Electrical Insulation:
High electrical resistivity (up to 10¹⁴ ohm-m) makes it ideal for cable coatings and insulators.
Despite its versatility, POE has limitations that manufacturers should consider:
Limited Heat Resistance:
Softens above 80°C, restricting use in high-temperature environments like engine components.
Lower Tensile Strength:
Tensile strength (up to 15 MPa) is lower than PP, limiting use in heavy-load applications.
Sensitivity to Strong Solvents:
Limited resistance to strong organic solvents (e.g., toluene), reducing suitability for harsh chemical environments.
Higher Cost for Specialty Grades:
Flame-retardant and biocompatible grades can be up to 20% more expensive, impacting cost-sensitive applications.
Flammability:
Without flame-retardant additives, POE is flammable, requiring modification for safety-critical applications.
Complex Recycling:
Recycling is challenging due to varied copolymers and additives compared to PE.
Poor Filler Dispersion:
In filled grades, inadequate dispersion may cause surface defects.
Limited UV Resistance:
Without UV stabilizers, POE degrades under sunlight, necessitating specialized grades for outdoor use.
Proper storage of Polyolefin Elastomer is critical to maintaining its physical properties and processability:
Temperature:
Store at 15–25°C to prevent granule stickiness. Temperatures above 30°C may degrade additives.
Moisture Protection:
Maintain moisture levels below 0.1% to avoid surface defects. Use laminated polyethylene bags (100 µm thickness).
UV Protection:
Store in covered areas with opaque packaging to prevent additive degradation from UV exposure.
Stacking:
Stack bags on dry pallets, up to 5 bags high, with 50 cm spacing for ventilation.
Periodic Checks:
Monitor temperature, humidity, and bag condition. Follow FIFO (First In, First Out) to ensure quality.
Effective packaging and transportation ensure POE quality and prevent contamination:
Robust Packaging:
Use 25 kg laminated bags or 500–1000 kg big bags with polyethylene liners for moisture protection.
Clear Labeling:
Durable labels with safety instructions (e.g., “Keep away from sunlight”) and technical specs, per ISO 780 standards.
Safe Transport:
Use clean, ventilated vehicles. Cooling containers (<30°C) are recommended in warm seasons.
Load Stability:
Secure bags symmetrically with straps on standard pallets (1000 kg capacity).
Regulatory Compliance:
Follow ADR regulations, providing Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and quality certificates.
Manufacturing with POE may encounter issues, with solutions as follows:
Stickiness During Processing:
High viscosity in low-density grades may cause sticking. Use lubricants and maintain processing temperatures (180–220°C).
Moisture Absorption:
Moisture above 0.1% causes bubbles or surface defects. Dry granules at 60°C for 2 hours.
Poor Additive Dispersion:
Inadequate filler dispersion reduces mechanical properties. Use high-speed mixers.
Unexpected Shrinkage:
Thick parts may shrink due to uneven cooling. Optimize mold design and cooling processes.
Thermal Degradation:
Processing above 220°C degrades the polymer. Adhere to recommended temperatures.
Insufficient Melt Flow:
Low MFI grades may cause incomplete mold filling. Select grades with appropriate MFI.
Selecting high-quality POE is critical for durable products:
Vinyl Acetate (VA) Content:
Low VA for rigidity, high VA for flexibility. Match grade to application (e.g., footwear or medical).
Mechanical Properties:
Ensure tensile strength (minimum 15 MPa) and elongation at break. Request technical data sheets.
Environmental Resistance: Verify UV resistance for outdoor use via ASTM G154 testing.
Moisture Content:
Maintain moisture below 0.1% to prevent defects. Request moisture test reports.
Melt Flow Index (MFI):
MFI of 2–20 g/10 min for processability. Higher MFI suits films.
Safety Certifications:
Confirm compliance with FDA, REACH, or RoHS for medical applications. Ensure no toxic substances.
Additive Quality:
Verify uniform dispersion of fillers and additives. Request test samples.
Similarities:
Both are polyolefins with similar processability, used in packaging films and industrial parts.
Differences:
POE offers greater flexibility and impact resistance, while PE is more rigid and cost-effective for general applications like bags.
POE Advantage:
Superior flexibility and toughness for cable coatings and automotive parts.
POE Limitation:
Higher cost and lower tensile strength than PE.
Similarities:
Both are used in molded and extruded plastic parts and can be blended with POE.
Differences:
PP has higher strength and rigidity, while POE excels in flexibility and low-temperature impact resistance.
POE Advantage:
Enhanced flexibility and impact resistance for seals and soft films.
POE Limitation:
Lower heat and chemical resistance than PP.
Similarities:
Both are flexible polymers with high impact resistance, used in packaging and foams.
Differences:
EVA offers better adhesion, ideal for shoe foams, while POE has superior chemical resistance and PP compatibility.
POE Advantage:
Better compatibility with polyolefins and chemical resistance for automotive parts.
POE Limitation:
Lower adhesion than EVA for adhesive applications.
Similarities:
Both enhance safety in cable and electrical applications.
Differences:
Flame-retardant masterbatch adds fire resistance to polymers, while POE is an elastomeric base material.
POE Advantage:
Inherent flexibility and impact resistance for cable coatings.
POE Limitation:
Requires specific additives for fire safety, unlike versatile masterbatches.
Similarities:
Both reduce costs and enhance mechanical properties in manufactured parts.
Differences:
Filler masterbatch (e.g., calcium carbonate) boosts strength, while POE provides elastomeric properties.
POE Advantage:
Intrinsic flexibility and impact resistance.
POE Limitation:
Higher cost than polymers enhanced with filler masterbatch.
POE is a flexible copolymer used in automotive parts, cable coatings, and packaging films, offering high impact resistance and elasticity.
Automotive, packaging, wire and cable, medical, and consumer goods industries.
POE is more flexible and impact-resistant, while PE is more rigid and cost-effective.
Yes, biocompatible grades meet FDA and REACH standards for safe medical use.
Processed via extrusion or injection molding at 180–220°C. Pre-drying at 60°C for 2 hours is essential.
High flexibility, impact resistance, low-temperature stability, easy processing, and cost-effectiveness.
Yes, but recycling is complex due to varied copolymers and additives.
Low-density for cable coatings, medium-density for automotive parts, and biocompatible for medical applications.
UV-resistant grades withstand sunlight for up to 5 years.
Up to 2 years under proper storage conditions.
Suitable up to 80°C. For higher temperatures, alternative polymers are recommended.
Test tensile strength, MFI, UV resistance, and moisture content. Review supplier reports.
Yes, its ease of processing and lower cost compared to EPDM reduce manufacturing expenses.
Low-density is softer and more elastic; medium-density is stronger and more rigid.
No, with proper processing and ventilation, POE is odor-free.
Use lubricants and maintain processing temperatures below 220°C.
Yes, UV-resistant and medium-density grades are ideal for seals and decorative trims.