Friday, September 24, 2021

What is Thermoplastic Elastomer Rubber? TPER, TPO, and TPV?

Understanding the difference between TPER and TPV is the key to writing more robust specifications for chemical-resistant waterstop. The key is in the crosslinking of the rubber phase. Polymers are chemical compounds formed by multiple structural units called monomers.

In the laboratory, forming polymers from monomers is called polymerization and is often so complex that it has to be initiated or sustained by heat, pressure, or a catalyst. Synthetic polymers produce plastics, synthetic fibers, and synthetic rubber.

Polymers come in different forms and have certain qualities (strength, elasticity, resistance to solvents, and temperature extremes), achieved through vulcanization, where individual polymer molecules form crosslinks.

The vulcanization of polymers leads to springy rubber molecules that can become locked together to a greater or lesser extent. These molecules form rubber or elastomers. The end material is stronger, much more durable, and more resistant to chemicals.

 

ELASTOMERS

Elastomers are amorphous polymers, the result of crosslinking rubber molecules through vulcanization.

An elastomer can exist in two states:

• Uncured elastomers are a gelatinous mass with the consistency of chewing gum in its natural state.

• Cured elastomers (i.e., vulcanized elastomers) are rubber-like materials that can be stretched to twice their original length. Thanks to their crosslinks, they return to most of their original length when released.

 

PLASTICS

Plastic or thermoplastic polymers consist of long polymer molecules that are not linked to each other, i.e.; they have no crosslinks. They can generally go through many melt/freeze cycles without suffering chemical change.

Thermoplastics include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, acrylics, nylons, and polyurethanes.

Fundamental differences exist between thermoplastic polymers and thermoset rubber. Thermoset rubber generally demonstrates a better elastic behavior and a better memory than a thermoplastic material. They are also better suited to high-temperature applications. Thermoset rubber is not easily recyclable like thermoplastic, which can be melted and reshaped.

 

THERMOSET RUBBER

Thermoset rubber refers to a range of elastomers that vulcanize to a more robust form through the addition of energy (heat or irradiation). The added power and catalysts cause the molecular chains to link into a rigid, 3D structure. However, once vulcanized, they cannot be melted and reshaped.

Important thermosets include phenolics, urea, melamine, epoxies, polyesters, silicones, rubbers, and polyurethanes.

 

THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS (TPER)

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPERs) are a diverse family of rubber-like compound materials that combine the functional performance and properties of conventional thermoset rubbers with the processability of plastics. TPERs permit the fabrication of rubber-like products with the ability to be reshaped or reformed with the application of heat.

 

THERMOPLASTIC VULCANIZATES (TPV)

Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) belong to the thermoplastic elastomer (TPER) family. TPVs are chemically crosslinked rubber within a thermoplastic polymer phase.

The level of vulcanization (partial versus full) has an impact on the properties of the TPV. A fully vulcanized TPV demonstrates improved performance than a partially or non-vulcanized one (thermoplastic polyolefin or TPO).

TPVs have outstanding properties, including excellent elastic recovery, high-temperature resistance, and chemical resistance.


A TPV molecule — Crosslinked rubber phase encased in a thermoplastic matrix.




 


Saturday, May 22, 2021

Waterstops for Environmental Compliance of Liquid Tight Concrete Structures



Waterstops for Environmental Compliance of Liquid Tight Concrete Structures is a targeted course of instruction and professional development for engineering firms engaged in the design of chemical, industrial, and environmental projects such as secondary containment of hazardous waste, industrial wastewater, ozone contactors, and others. The course is technical in nature and describes waterstops role in fluid-proofing concrete joints, chemical resistant polymers and steels, and state and federal regulations of compliance. 




Saturday, April 17, 2021

Earth Shield PVC Waterstop


 J P Specialties, Inc. is pleased to showcase the above photograph, which illustrates a successful waterstop repair with our custom "V-Iron" waterstop splicing tool. The V-Iron provides the waterstop installer with an efficient means to repair and replace damaged, forgotten, or misplaced waterstop cast-in-situ concrete. The product has male and female points at 45°, which allows for a miter cut transition, maintaining ribs and centerbulb continuity.


We manufacture a complete line of waterstop installation and repair tools. Click here to learn more.




Friday, March 19, 2021

Ozone Resistant TPV Waterstops


Modern water treatment facilities, particularly ozone contactor structures, have utilized Earth Shield® waterstop for over 20 years. Earth Shield® thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) waterstop is immune to the corrosive effects of concentrated ozone. Our TPV polymer waterstop is suitable for ozone exposures up to 600 pphm (parts per hundred million). 

Independent ozone resistance testing (ASTM D 1171) has been performed on our product under direct contact, side-stream, off-gas, and finished water conditions. There was only a slight deviation from the control sample and negligible loss of physical properties.


JP Specialties, Inc. has been in the waterstop business since 1954. We offer a complete system — CAD drawings, shop-made fittings, waterstop welding equipment, and more.

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Lead-free and NSF 372 Certified Waterstops




Lead is a metal used in the plumbing and waterworks industry. Lead can dissolve into the water supply from drinking water system components it contacts (pipes, fittings, waterstopset al.). The maximum lead content in drinking water system components is 0.25%, as defined by the NSF 372 Standard.


Earth Shield® polyvinyl chloride waterstops are certified to NSF/ANSI 372 and conform with the lead content requirements for the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act. 




Saturday, February 27, 2021

In business continuously since 1954, J P Specialties, Inc. has been manufacturing the Earth Shield® line of waterstops for over 20 years. We provide technical support for a complete range of waterstops and waterstop accessories. Our waterstop products (PVC, TPV, stainless steel, and MCR strip-applied) have the best physical properties in the industry, and more importantly, we provide unmatched service and technical support. 

At the engineering level, our technical leaders are officers in multiple ACI committees. We were the first waterstop company to get NSF 61 certification. Our owner has written the leading professional resource book used in the construction industry (The Little Book of Waterstop by David Poole). Our popular accredited seminar (worth one-hour CEU credit) is presented nationally, internationally, and on-line to over 200 engineering and owner offices with many thousands of attendees. 

We also provide contractors with aggressive pricing, extensive inventories, and factory fabrications for both standard and custom waterstop fittings. J P Specialties also offers on-site and on-line waterstop welding schools and certifies attendees for the proper welding of waterstops.  



Sunday, February 14, 2021



J P Specialties, Inc. strives to be a leader in environmental sustainability and believes that a successful future for our business and the customers we serve depends on the sustainability of the environment, communities, and economies in which we operate.


As a responsible corporate citizen, we bear a responsibility to consider the impacts of our actions and how they affect the environment both directly in terms of our own operations, and indirectly through our purchasing decisions, the products and services we offer to our customers, and the business opportunities we pursue.


We are committed to minimizing the impact of our operations on the environment and to demonstrating leadership by integrating environmental considerations into all our business practices. 


#environment #concrete #sustainability 

Saturday, February 06, 2021

Earth Shield® Waterstop Installed on and Around Pilecaps.

Earth Shield® Corner Seal Waterstop (part no. JP215) provides an effective watertight seal between the pilecaps, ground beams, floor slabs, and walls in liquid retaining and liquid excluding structures.