What is POE material?
2025-01-22
1. What is POE?
POE stands for polyolefin elastomer, a thermoplastic with the characteristics of both plastic and rubber, and a superior overall performance with low-temperature impact resistance, high flexibility, good insulation, and good compatibility with base plastic materials.
As shown in the figure on the left, the polyolefin elastomer material in the room temperature environment is generally transparent or translucent.
The polyolefin elastomer material itself is elastic, and you can feel the different touch compared to PP and HDPE materials when you pinch it with your fingers.
Sprinkled POE material and ordinary plastic material from a high place, the resilience performance of POE material is higher, and the rebound height is significantly higher than that of other materials
POE in a narrow sense refers only to ethylene-octene copolymer, also known as EOC. POE material in a broader sense is a copolymer of ethylene and alpha olefin through a metallocene catalyst.
Due to the role of the polyethylene chain crystallization area of its physical cross-linking points, so it has the typical plastic properties; and α-olefins (including 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, etc.) to join, but also weakened the polyethylene chain of the crystallization area, so that the POE and elastomer properties.
If you have any requirements for POE materials, please contact us.👉 +86 15837933829
2. Advantages of POE materials
Polyolefin elastomers have low density, very narrow relative molecules, and a certain degree of crystallinity. The structure of crystalline PE is present in the side chains of the amorphous copolymerized monomers, the crystalline PE links bear the load as physical cross-links, and the long chains of amorphous ethylene and octene provide elasticity, and the properties of POE materials include：
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Outstanding elasticity and flexibility are defining characteristics of POE materials. With a typical Shore A hardness of 60-90, POE exhibits excellent rebound and tensile properties.
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Exceptional low-temperature performance. Unlike other polymer materials that tend to glass transition, become brittle, and experience significant mechanical degradation in cold environments, POE maintains superior mechanical properties even at extreme temperatures, with a glass transition temperature ranging from -50 to -60°C.
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Superior impact resistance. As an excellent toughening agent, it significantly enhances the impact resistance and low-temperature toughness of polymers like PP and PE.
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Outstanding weather resistance. POE's saturated hydrocarbon structure provides UV resistance and oxidation resistance, making it ideal for outdoor product applications.
3. Application range of POE materials
As a commonly used toughening agent component, POE materials find extensive applications across industries such as automotive, photovoltaics, wire and cable, and modified plastics.
- Toughening agent for other polymers, POE resin is frequently employed to enhance PP, PE, and similar polymers due to its excellent rebound and tensile properties, coupled with good compatibility with most polymers.
- Photovoltaic Encapsulation. Compared to traditional EVA encapsulation films, POE-based films offer superior water vapor permeability, electrical insulation, weather resistance, and PID resistance. Consequently, POE encapsulation films are progressively replacing EVA in high-end photovoltaic modules.
- Cable sheathing. Low-smoke, halogen-free cables, flexible cable jackets, and communication cable insulation made from POE exhibit high flexibility, UV resistance, and excellent electrical insulation properties.
- High-performance packaging films and building waterproofing materials. POE resin is also suitable for film manufacturing, serving applications in food packaging, medical packaging, and building waterproofing membranes.
4. Performance Comparison of POE Resin and Other Elastomers
Other polymer materials can also serve as toughening agents, but POE materials are ultimately chosen. The following table will clearly illustrate the reasons for selecting POE materials.
| Materials | Elasticity | Processing | Weather resistance | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POE | High | Very easy | Good | Medium |
| EPDM | High | Requires vulcanization | Excellent | Low |
| TPU | High | Easy | General | High |
| TPE-S | Medium | Easy | General | Medium |
The selection of POE material as a toughening agent and modifier was based on a comprehensive evaluation of performance and cost.
5. Major Manufacturers of POE Resin
POE materials, as a commonly used toughening agent component, are produced by numerous compounding companies. However, we recommend the following brands and grades:
ExxonMobil is currently the leading supplier of POE materials, holding over 20% of the market share. Its primary grades are Vistamaxx 6102 and Vistamaxx 6202，These two materials are in high demand for PP modification and serve as primary supply materials for Baiyou Import and Export. We maintain long-term inventory and welcome inquiries at any time.
DOW is one of the earliest commercialized enterprises in POE materials, possessing a mature metallocene catalyst system. POE materials have a wide range of applications. DOW ENGAGE 8150 and DOW ENGAGE 8200 POE materials, as representatives of high-end POE, are commonly used in automotive applications, high-end photovoltaic encapsulation, and high-performance wire and cable applications.
Mitsui Chemicals and LG Chem are the primary suppliers of POE materials in Asia. Among these, the Mitsui Tafmer series holds a distinct advantage in high-end packaging systems, with Mitsui Tafmer DF749 PAO frequently used as a raw material in automotive applications. LG Chem, on the other hand, primarily supplies general-purpose POE materials characterized by their low cost, making them a common alternative for the aforementioned brands.
If you have any requirements for POE materials, please contact us.👉 +86 15837933829
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