Macro-lattice from Segregated Amorphous Phases of a Three Block Copolymer

THERMOPLASTIC elastomers represent a new and important family of polymeric materials. One of the most representative examples contains three blocks, styrene/butadiene/styrene (SBS), within a chain. At ambient temperatures the two chemical species separate. The B phase is rubbery, and provides the matrix for the highly dispersed S phase which is glassy. Owing to the molecular connexion between the two, the S phase acts like a cross-link and thus creates a network. At high enough temperatures this cross-linking effect due to the S phase is removed and the object becomes mouldable.