TPV primarily consists of two components: a plastic phase, which serves as the continuous matrix, and a rubber phase, which acts as the dispersed phase. Typically, the rubber component requires compounding with a softening oil or plasticizer. Curing agents and various auxiliary additives are also indispensable. Furthermore, to reduce costs or enhance specific performance characteristics, inorganic fillers are often incorporated.
While TPVs can theoretically be formed from a wide variety of plastic and rubber combinations, only a select few blends-specifically those subjected to dynamic vulcanization-possess practical utility. Commercially available examples include PP/PE/EPDM, PP/NBR, PP/ACM, and PS/SEBS. In the book *Thermoplastic Elastomers* (published by the Chemical Industry Press), a comprehensive review was conducted on 99 distinct rubber/plastic blends derived from 11 different types of rubber and 9 types of plastic. The research concluded that to achieve dynamically vulcanized rubber/thermoplastic blends with optimal performance, the following conditions must be met: (1) the surface energies of the two polymer components-the plastic and the rubber-must be compatible; (2) the rubber component must possess a relatively short molecular chain entanglement length; and (3) the crystallinity of the plastic component must exceed 15%. In instances where there is a significant disparity in polarity or surface energy between the plastic and rubber components, the incorporation of a suitable compatibilizer prior to dynamic vulcanization can also yield blends exhibiting excellent performance properties.