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Materials:
– Thermoplastics may include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), block copolymer polypropylene (BCPP), and others.
– Common fillers include talc, fiberglass, carbon fiber, wollastonite, and MOS (Metal Oxy Sulfate).
– Common elastomers include ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), EPDM (EP-diene rubber), ethylene-octene (EO), ethylbenzene (EB), and styrene ethylene butadiene styrene (SEBS).
– Components for TPO are blended together at 210 – 270 °C under high shear.
– The geometry of the metallocene catalyst determines the sequence of chirality in the chain, average block length, molecular weight, and distribution.

Creation:
– Blending components for TPO at 210 – 270 °C under high shear.
– Batch production using a Banbury compounder or continuous stream with a twin screw extruder.
– Mixing and dispersion achieved in batch process but adds cost.
– Metallocene catalyst embedded in the polymer for TPO production.
– Batch process requires immediate extrusion for pelletization.

Structure:
– Properties of TPO depend on controlling microstructure size and distribution.
– PP and PE form lamellar crystallites separated by amorphous regions.
– PP and PE components constitute the crystalline phase, while rubber and PE/PP end groups form the amorphous phase.
– Phase inversion may occur when rubber fraction exceeds 40% in TPO blend.
– Fillers increase rigidity in TPO blend by exploiting surface tension phenomena.

Application:
– TPO easily processed by injection molding, profile extrusion, and thermoforming.
– TPO cannot be blown or sustain a film thickness less than 1/4 mil (about 6 micrometers).

References:
– J. A. Brydson (1995). “Thermoplastic Elastomers: Properties and Application”. iSmithers Rapra Publishing. pp.13–16. ISBN9781859570449.
– Information on TPO Roofing retrieved in 2017.
– Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thermoplastic_olefin&oldid=1206892281.