Pebax® is a trade name of PEBA, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) developed by Arkema. Pebax material uses block copolymer technology to combine polyamide and polyether, resulting in a high-performance material that finds its application across various industries in the modern world.
It became popular when athletic gear brands, including Nike used such a lightweight thermoplastic elastomer with outstanding energy return as midsole foams in their sports shoes.
If you are new to the world of high-tech polymers and thermoplastic elastomers, including PEBA, read this article till the end to learn what it is and its common forms and applications.
What is Pebax? – A Quick Overview
Polyether block amide, commonly known as PEBA (commercially known under the brand name Pebax® by Arkema), is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) with the following chemical structure:
HO – (CO – PA – CO – O – PE – O)n – H
In the above multiblock chemical structure,
- HO – (CO – PA – CO -) represents a polyamide (PA) segment containing amide (CO-NH) bonds.
- The second part is the flexible polyether (PE) segment represented by (-O – PE – O) section consisting of ether (C-O-C) bonds.
This forms a perfect combination of rigid polyamide (PA) segments with flexible polyether (PE) segments. This is possible through condensation polymerization, allowing resulting PEBA material to be more than 20% lighter and more flexible than competitive or common elastomers such as thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) and polyester elastomers (TPE-E).
Physical Properties
Pebax and other PEBA variants have ultra lightweight and low-temperature performance coupled with superior energy return and impact resistance. It’s properties make it the best choice for sports gear, complex medical devices, and other industrial-grade equipment.
Here’s a quick rundown of the physical properties of this exceptional material:
(The following values may vary slightly based on the specific grade or formulation methods used for different industrial applications.)
- Melting Point – 134–174 °C
- Density – 1.00 to 1.03 g/cm3
- Water absorption at equilibrium (23 °C, 50% RH) – 0.4 to 0.7%
- Water absorption at saturation (23 °C, 24H in water) – 0.9 to 1.2%
- Shore Hardness – 25 to 72 Shore D
- Flexural modulus – 12 to 513 MPa
- Tensile strength at break – 32 to 56 MPa
- Elongation at break – 300 to 750%
- Impact resistance (Charpy, notched) – No break
- Abrasion resistance (10 N/40 m) – 55 to 130 mm3
- Surface resistivity – 109 to 1013 Ω/sq
- Volume resistivity – 109 to 1013 Ω·cm
Common Forms of PEBA Thermoplastic Polymer
These multiblock copolymers can be processed in a variety of forms. Some of them are discussed below:
1. Pebax Plates
Rigid or semi-rigid plates can be created. They are used in a variety of sports equipment and medical devices. Plates made from PEBA provide excellent dimensional stability along with the outstanding impact resistance.
2. Foams
Foams may be one of the most popular forms for this material.
These TPE foams are created by expanding the PEBA material using gases like CO2 as foaming agents. Such foams offer an 85% energy return. They are mainly used in shoe midsoles and cushioning.
3. Pebax Coatings
An excellent processing versatility allows this material to be processed into a liquid or powder form, which can be used for coatings applications..
Thin-layered Pebax coatings offer exceptional flexibility and durability. They are mainly used in sports equipment and medical device coatings, providing excellent protection from corrosion, extending the lifespan of metallic parts used in medical devices.
These coatings have exceptional properties, which make them ideal for complex applications, such as in medical device coatings. These properties include:
- Exceptional blend of flexibility and durability
- Chemical resistance
- Performance in extreme conditions
- Balance between lightweight and strength
- Environmental sustainability
4. Films
Thin films of PEBA material created using the extrusion process are used as breathable membranes in a variety of applications, such as sports equipment. The same process can also be used to produce impressive PEBA rods and pipes to be used in the automotive sector.
5. Tubing
The PEBA based material has revolutionized catheters and tubings used in healthcare industries. They are produced by an extrusion process. They offer outstanding flexibility, shape memory, low coefficient of friction, impact resistance, and biocompatibility.
Common PEBA Applications
Due to an exceptional combination of mechanical, chemical, and physical properties of PEBA material, it has become the ultimate choice for manufacturers looking for an ultra-lightweight and flexible material with outstanding performance under extreme conditions.
1. Athletic Gear
PEBA became popular when popular athletic shoe companies used it in their shoe midsoles.
The results shocked the entire world, and many professional athletes started raving about the exceptional performance they could achieve through these high-tech multiblock copolymers.
The credit goes to the ultra-lightweight structure and more than 85% energy return.
What makes the material a good fit for sports equipment? Well, it is/has:
- Lightweight
- High strength
- Impact resistance
- Low-temperature performance
- Up to 85% energy return
2. Pebax used in Medical Devices
PEBA material is one of the most commonly used substrates in the medical device industry. In general, it is used in a wide range of medical devices, from complex and multi-layered tubings to disposable surgery gloves and catheters. The reason is due to its biocompatibility, sterilizability, breathability, and various other physical properties. Thanks to such properties and reliable performance, it is also used in implants.
What makes PEBA a good fit for the medical industry:
- Low coefficient of friction
- Softness
- Flexibility
- Shape memory
- Kink resistance
- Torques transference
- Pressure resistance
- Sliding effect
- Breathability
3. Electronics
PEBA is an excellent choice for insulating wires in electronic devices. It is a highly flexible and durable multiblock thermoplastic elastomer. Many smartwatch brands have started using the material in their straps. What makes it a good fit for the electronics industry:
- Durability
- Flexibility
- Lightweight structure
- Chemical resistance
- UV protection
4. Textiles
Textile companies use the material to design high-performance, breathable, and waterproof fabric. It can be easily blended with a variety of materials. For example,the material can be combined to create 100% bio-based breathable fabrics. Another good example is PEBA and nylon or polyester blends that enhance elasticity.
Textiles created using the material are:
- Thin and lightweight
- Flexible
- Breathable
- Durable (excellent strength and impact resistance)
- Biodegradable
- Stretchable
- Comfortable
5. Additive Manufacturing
Certain forms of PEBA powder can be formulated with other polymers and optimized for use in advanced laser sintering (SLS 3D printing). This use has already been achieved by some suppliers in the industry. As a result, it is helpful in creating advanced prototypes for the automotive and medical industries within the shortest possible time. What makes such advanced polymers a good fit for 3D printing:
- Weight saving
- Excellent layer adhesion
- Transparency
- Low modulus
- Superior Elasticity
- Thermal stability
- Biocompatibility
To Summarize: Benefits of Pebax and PEBA Thermoplastic Elastomers
PEBA offers a wide range of benefits. It is a plasticizer-free block copolymer derived from a perfect combination of rigid polyamide blocks and soft polyether blocks. A range of unique materials with varying rigidity and flexibility can be created by adjusting blocks and their ratio. Here is a quick list of benefits offered by PEBA materials:
- Low material density
- Excellent combination of toughness and flexibility
- Outstanding energy return
- Cold temperature durability
- Amazing Chemical Resistance
- Processing versatility
- Impact and abrasion resistance
- Biocompatibility
Over the past few decades, this material has become a staple in improving the performance of products across various industries, from athletic gear to complex medical equipment.
Hydromer® Pebax Coatings and Coatings for Pebax Substrates
Hydromer®, Inc., a leading manufacturer of hydrophilic coatings, offers specialized solutions tailored to both medical and industrial needs. Among these specialized solutions is coatings and primers made from polyether block amide thermoplastics (ie. Pebax). In addition, this material is one of the most commonly used substrates in the medical device industry. Our custom coating formulations work well with this unique substrate.
Common applications for PEBA variants include catheters, tubes, packaging, medical devices, and more.
Hydromer primers and coatings can be custom formulated to achieve your product requirements and goals. In addition, we offer technical support and consulting, contract R&D, technology transfer, analytical testing, and contract coating services.
Please contact us for more information or to start your project with us.
