TPX

TPX
Precautions
1. General Precautions Polymethyl PentenePMP

The data indicated in this brochure are representative values which obtained by our own
testing methods. Furthermore, the written contents in this brochure are based on the current
available information and data etc. Please be mentioned that we do not provide any warranty
about the accuracy or suitability thereof for any particular applications.
The detailed technical information will be given to you when you contact us.
For the detailed safety information, please refer to Materials Safety Data Sheet of TPX.
Please pay attention to industrial property rights about applications listed in this brochure.
Before using TPX, please evaluate the practical applicability of TPX and make sure
whether any problems will not be caused.
Please avoid fire, direct sunshine, water wetting and any abrupt temperature change at the
storage place of TPX.
Please avoid the outdoor usage of TPX for a long period of time as it may cause the color
change or the quality deterioration.
These precautions are given on the assumption that TPX would be used in a normal way.
If TPX is used in any special way, please take additional safety measures.

2Use of TPX for Medical-related applications and Food contact applications

Please contact us when you intend to use TPX in such applications.

MITSUI CHEMICALS, INC.

Head Office
Performance Polymers Div.
Performance Polymers Dept.
Shiodome City Center, 5-2, Higashi Shimbashi 1-chome,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-7117, Japan
TEL:+81-3-6253-3483FAX:+81-3-6253-4221
e-mail : tpx01@mitsui-chem.co.jp
Website: http://jp.mitsuichem.com/info/tpx/etpx/eindex.html

Mitsui Chemicals America, Inc. What lies ahead Transparent Polymer X

800 Westchester Ave. Suite N607, Rye Brook, NY 10573, U.S.A.
TEL:+1-914-253-0777FAX:+1-914-253-0790

Mitsui Chemicals Europe GmbH.

Oststrasse 10, 40211 Dusseldorf, Germany
TEL:+49-211-1733278FAX:+49-211-1719961

Mitsui Chemicals (Shanghai) Co.,Ltd.

Room2308, Bank of China Tower 200 Yin Cheng Road Central,
Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200120, China
TEL:+86-21-5888-6336FAX:+86-21-5888-6337

Taiwan Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

7F-2, No.4, Sec. 1, Jhongsiao W. Rd.,
Taipei 10041,Taiwan,R.O.C.
TEL:+886-2-2361-7887FAX:+886-2-2361-6776

Mitsui Chemicals Asia Pacific, Ltd.

3 HarbourFront Place #10-01 HarbourFront Tower 2
Singapore 099254, SINGAPORE
TEL:+65-6534-2611FAX:+65-6535-5161
Creation : Apr. 2010
Revision : Sept. 2011 http://jp.mitsuichem.com/info/tpx/etpx/eindex.html
 TM

TPX is What is TPX?

TPX is a 4-methylpentene-1-based olefin copolymer.
TPX has a unique molecular structure. Although TPX is a crystalline olefin
polymer, it shows transparency. Because of its excellent heat-resistance, release
property and chemical resistance, TPX is used for industrial materials, including
CH2=CH ( CH2 CH
)n mandrels and sheaths in the manufacture of high-pressure rubber hose, mold
CH3 CH=CH2
I I cups to create LED light and other applications such as release film on FPC
CH2 CH2 manufacturing process and release paper in the manufacture of synthetic leather.

Dimerization I
Polymerization I Furthermore, TPX possesses a lowest density among thermoplastic polymers
CHCH3
2 CHCH3
2
and then provides the molded articles with lower weight. This leads to reduce the
environmental load for transportation. It is also noted that TPX is a halogen-free
polymer denoted as environmentally-friendly material.
Propylene 4-Methylpentene-1 TPX(polymethylpentene) TPX is also used for food-related applications such as food wraps, food
preservation packs, baking carton and microwave oven tableware.

A functional resin that creates

high-value-added products. TPX provides the high added value as functional polymer
that the other conventional polymers cannot supply.

Limited Molecular Movement Heat Resistance Crystal Structure of TPX

Tm : 220 240 72 Helical

Very Small Density Difference Transparency

Bulky Side Chain between Crystal and Amorphous Haze < 5%

Gas Permeability Bulky side chain

10 times larger than PE
I
Low Packing Density of CH2
Molecules Low Density
Density : 830 kg/m3
I
CH
Releaseability
Surface Tension : 24 mN/m
CH3 CH3

Non-Polar Molecule Excellent Low Dielectric

Properties
=2.1, tan = 0.0008 (@10GHz)

Polyolefin Stable C-C Bond in a Main Chain Chemical Resistance

Halogen-free
Good for the Environment
TPX shows unique properties not available with
100

Quartz Chemical resistance Chemicals
Resin
TPX PMMA PC PS PA
Concentrated sulfuric acid98% ) A C C A D
any conventional resins.
Trans mittance (%) 80
TPX RT18
PS PVC
Ammonia water A A C A A
60
Because of its stable C-C bonds, TPX has Sodium hydroxide40% ) A A C A A
better chemical resistance as compared to Sodium oxalate A A A A
40
Heat resistance PMMA
polycarbonate and acrylic polymer. TPX
basically shows excellent chemical resistance
Acetone
Methyl ethyl ketone
A
A
C
C
C
C
C
C
B
C
20
particularly against acids, alkalis and alcohol. Ethanol A C A A A
TPX hasGlass a high melting point in the range from 220 to 240 and a high vicat softening Toluene C E C E
For this reason, TPX is used in various
0
temperature. Hence,
400 it can be used for high temperature application. However, as heat distortion Trichloroethylene C E E E
200 300
Ultraviolet
500
Visible Light
600
applications which require chemical resistance,
Wave length(millimicron) temperature of TPX is almost such as cosmetic container caps and tubes, Brake oil A D C B
148 58 32 122 212 302 392 F) same as that of polypropylene, experimental apparatus and analytical cells. [25 ]A:Not attacked; B:Practically not attacked; C:Ataccked (swelling);
50 7,110
Propylene
TPX TM the application under high- D:Attacked (cracked); EAttacked (dissolve)
copolymer
stress environment needs to be
Yield strength (MPa)

40 5,688

Gas permeability
carefully considered. Unit : molm/sPa
30 4,266
Resin
Polycarbonate Measured
Gas type TPX
20 2,844 Condition HDPE PP PET
Low density (MX002)

10
polyethylene
TPX has a characteristic of excellent gas Moisture permeability 4090% RH 3.2010
-13
4.85 10
-14
2.91 10
-14 -
5.83 10 14
1,422
(psi) permeability derived from its molecular -15 -16 -16 -
O2 permeability 23 9.4010 5.88 10 5.17 10 3.76 10 18
0 structure. Hence, TPX is widely used for gas - - -
100 50 0 50
Temperature()
100 150 200
permeative applications such as gas separation N2 permeability 23 2.33 10 15 2.12 10 16 7.99 10 17
-14 -15 -15
membranes. CO2 permeability 23 3.29 10 1.18 10 1.46 10

Releasability and Non-compatibility Low dielectric property

The surface tension of TPX (24mN/m) is very low and this value is the secondary lowest as Resin
Since TPX has a non-polar structure; its Dielectric property
TPX PTFE ETFE PE
compared to fluorine polymers. Hereby, TPX shows excellent releasability against various dielectric property is almost same as fluorine 10kHz 2.1 2.1 2.6 2.3
materials. TPX is used as release polymers. It should be noted that dielectric Dielectric
Comparison of Surface Tention 1MHz 2.1 2.1 2.6 2.3
material in hardening process of property of TPX is hardly affected by constant
frequency and TPX can be injection-molded 10GHz 2.1 2.1 2.6 2.3
PTFE 20
thermosetting resins (urethane,
epoxy etc.) Furthermore, since unlike PTFE. TPX shows stable dielectric Dielectric 10kHz 0.0003 0.0003 0.0006
TPX 24
TPX shows incompatibility property in the wide range of frequency. dissipation factor 1MHz 0.0003 0.0003 0.0015
HDPE 32
against thermoplastic resins (PET, (tan 10GHz 0.0008 0.0005 0.0150
PP 34
PP etc.) it is used to create a
Low density
PVC 38
PSU 41
porous structure in PET or PP
PET 43
membranes.
PC 43 The density of TPX is the lowest (830 kg/m3 ) among thermoplastic polymers, and its specific volume is larger
PA66 46 than that of other transparent polymers. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the weight of injection-molded
0 10 20 30 40 50 articles by using TPX or also TPX compounds.
Surface tension (mN/m)

Steam resistance
Transparency
TPX shows a very low water absorbance and therefore the dimension of a TPX product is hardly affected by
Although TPX is a crystalline polymer, it exhibits excellent transparency (Haze : < 5 % ) and water absorbance. Furthermore, since TPX does not hydrolyze in boiling water, it can be used for experimental
light transmittance. Especially TPX is used for optical analysis cells because of the higher apparatus and animal cages which require the steam sterilization.
UV transmittance as compared
to glass and other transparent
Food sanitation
100
Quartz polymers.
TPXTM RT18
80
Trans mittance (%)

PS PVC
60
Hygienic approved TPX grades (JPN standards, FDA regulations and EU regulations) are also available and
40
they are used for food wraps and microwave oven tableware.
PMMA

Low refractive index

20
Glass

0
200 300 400 500 600
Ultraviolet Visible Light
Wave length(millimicron)
Wave length (nm)
148 58 32 122 212 302 392F) The refractive index of TPX is 1.463n 200, lower than fluorine polymers.
50 7,110
Propylene
copolymer TPX
th (MPa)

40 5,688
TPX expands the possibilities of advanced technologies.

As high-value-added
product
As process material Releasability Heat resistance Chemical resistance
for hardening process
RT18MX004MX0020DX820DX845

Transparency Releasability

Heat resistance Low density

Chemical resistance Low dielectric properties

Gas permeability Food sanitation

Steam resistance Cosmetic container caps and tubes
LED mold Rubber hose mandrels and sheaths

Hollow fiber Animal cage Experimental apparatus

Release paper for
synthetic leather

Release film

As food Heat resistance Releasability Gas permeability

container/packaging
material Food sanitation

As resin modifier Non-compatibility

Heat
resistance
Distribution is controllable
by stretching conditions.
TPX Stretching Micro-pores
TPX

Thermoplastic resin
Thermoplastic resin

Synthetic paper Heat-resistant tableware for microwave ovens Food wraps and baking carton
TPX
meets a broad range of needs with a full grade mix.
Type High-Modulus Intermediate-Modulus Low-Modulus Opaque
Physical Properties Grade RT18, RT311 MX004
DX845 DX231 DX820 MX002 MX0020 DX310 MBZ230 (A) DX560M
List Measured Condition Unit Methodology RT18XB, RT31XB 2 ) MX004XB 2 )
kg/m3 833 833 832 832 833 834 834 834 1100 856
Density Density Gradient Method MCI Method
l b/in3 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.040 0.031
26 (RT18)
MFR Applied Force= 5kgf, 260 g/10min MCI Method 9 100 180 25 21 21 100 57 33
Basic Properties 21 (RT31)
232 232 232 232 228 224 224 226 233 221
Melting Point DSC Method ASTM D3418
F 449.6 449.6 449.6 449.6 442.4 435.2 435.2 438.8 451.4 429.8
Water Absorption % ASTM-D570 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 0.04 <0.01
Injection Molded Specimen
Vicat Softening 2mm thick 2pcs 168 168 178 172 164 149 149 145 162 89
ASTM-D1525
Temperature Heat Speed: 50 /hour F 334.4 334.4 352.4 341.6 327.2 300.2 300.2 293.0 323.6 192.2
Applied Load: 10N
Injection Molded Specimen
Heat Distortion (1/4 inch thick) 127 127 126 132 100 93 93 80 145 59
Thermal Properties Temperature Heat Speed: 120 /hour F
ASTM-D648
260.6 260.6 258.8 269.6 212.0 199.4 199.4 176.0 293.0 138.2
Applied Stress: 0.45MPa
TMA Method
Coefficient of Measured Range: -10 160 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4
cm/cm MCI Method 1.1710 1.1710 1.1710 1.1710 1.1710 1.1710-4 1.1710 1.1710 1.28 10 3.53 10
Linear Expansion Applied Force: 3g
Nitrogen Flow: 100mL/min
MPa 30 30 29 32 25 21 21 20 27 8
Yield Stress ASTM-D638
PSI 4350 4350 4205 4640 3625 3045 3045 2900 3915 1160
Injection Molded Specimen
23 MPa 25 25 25 25 20 10 10 10 26 9
Fractured Stress (ASTM-4) ASTM-D638
PSI 3625 3625 3625 3625 2900 1450 1450 1450 3770 1305
Cross-Head-Speed: 50mm/min
73F Fractured Strain % ASTM-D638 22 19 19 7 27 87 87 52 20 100
Chuck Distance: 65mm
MPa 1900 1900 1860 1950 1300 900 900 850 2250 280
Tensile Modulus ASTM-D638
PSI 275500 275500 269700 282750 188500 130500 130500 123250 326250 40600
Mechanical Injection Molded Specimen MPa 1450 1500 1450 1600 750 480 480 490 1820 190
Flexural Modulus ASTM-D790
23 3.2mm thick PSI 210250 217500 210250 232000 108750 69600 69600 71050 263900 27550
Properties 73F Cross-Head-Speed: 1.3mm/min MPa 36 40 37 40 25 18 18 18 40 6
Flexural Strength Span Length: 51mm ASTM-D790
PSI 5220 5800 5365 5800 3625 2610 2610 2610 5800 870
Injection Molded Specimen J/m 24 25 13 10 27 30 30 19 99 3 495 3
ASTM-D256
23 (Machined Notch) ft-ibs/in 0.45 0.47 0.24 0.19 0.51 0.56 0.56 0.36 1.85 3 9.27 3
Izod Impact Strength
73F Injection Molded Specimen kJ/m2
ASTM-D4812
10 10 8 9 22
NB NB
29 56 3
NB
(w/o Notch) ft-ibs/in2 4.8 4.8 3.8 4.3 10.5 13.8 26.6 3
23 Rockwell Hardness
Injection Molded Specimen
ASTM-D785 83 86 88 90 66 50 4 50 4 50 4 84 50 4
73F R scale

Haze Injection Molded Specimen % ASTM-D1003 0.7 0.7 1.7 2.1 0.7 1.3 0.7 1.7
Transmittance C illuminant % ASTM-D1003 94 94 93 92 94 93 94 93
Optical Properties Injection Molded Specimen
Refractive Index 2mm thick ASTM-D542 1.462 1.462 1.462 1.461 1.462 1.463 1.463 1.463
Wave Length: 589nm
Injection Molded Specimen
Volume Resistivity 2mm thick cm ASTM-D257 >1016 >1016 >1016 >1016 >1016 >1016 >1016 >1016 >1016 >1015
Injection Molded Specimen KV/mm 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 28 31
Electrical Properties Dielectric Breakdown 2mm thick V/mil
ASTM-D149
812 812 812 812 812 812 812 812 711 787
Relative Dielectric Injection Molded Specimen
Constant 2mm thick), Frequence: 1MHz ASTM-D150 2.11 2.11 2.11 2.14 2.14 2.15 2.15 2.15 2.38 2.15
Injection Temperature: 310-320
Spiral Flow Mold Temperature: 73 cm MCI Method-1 51 50 53 56 56 48
Injection Molded Specimen
Moldability 2mm thick MD MCI Method-2 1.6 1.5 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.5
Molding shrinkage
Injection Molded Specimen
2mm thick TD MCI Method-2 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.1
Injection Molding Recommended
Extrusion-Coating Applicable
Extrusion-T-Die Casting
Processing Method
Extrusion-Profile type, Mandrel, Pipe
Extrusion-Fiber Spinning
Direct Blow Molding

MCI Method-1 Moulding Temp.310 330 (depending on the grade)

MCI Method-2 Moulding Temp.260 280 (depending on the grade)
Note: Figures shown here are representative values but not specified values.
As for the EU Directive, it is necessary to check the conformity of the application on the basis of the final product.
TPX contains chemical substances whose Specific Migration Limit (SML) is 0.05 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg.
TM

1 RT31, RT31XB Low odor grade

For details about EU Directive as well as details about the conformity of TPX with the FDA regulations, please
2 RT18XB, RT31XB, MX004XB Blue tint grade
contact our responsible department.
3 Partially Break
4 Not detective by ASTM-D785
We will provide full technical support to our Extrusion molding process
Although TPX can be extruded by conventional extruders used for PP and PE, there are some
customers based on the choice of a suitable grade. precautions for the choice of an extruder due to high melting point of TPX. An extruder for TPX
preferably possesses the following specifications.
Extruder
Precautions in molding process (1) High heating capacity Example of Extruding Condition
(T-Die Cast)
Extrusion of TPX is generally conducted in the range from 250 to
Since TPX pellets does not absorb water, it is unnecessary to dry it before molding process. 320 cylinder temperature. Therefore, the extruder must have sufficient Exturder T-Die Cast Extruder
(3-Layered)
Temperature control of molding equipment needs to be in the vicinity of 300 due to high melting point heat capacity.
Die Multi Manifold Die
of TPX. (2) Temperature control in four or more zones
Pre-Drying Not Required
Nitrogen purging is recommended at the hopper of molding equipment to reduce the heat decomposition It is recommended that the temperature control of the cylinder is
Die Rip Gap 0.5mm
of TPX. conducted in four or more zones so that an adequate amount of heat
Air Gap 30mm
Before TPX molding process, the previous polymer should be fully purged out by low-MFR polypropylene will be given to TPX pellets.
C1 280
and then switched to TPX molding. It is noted that appearance of TPX products is seriously (3) L/D
C2 290
affected by small amount of contamination remained in molding equipment. L/D of an extruder is preferably 30 to completely plasticize TPX even Cylinder C3 290
Injection molding process with large resin extrusion amount. Temperature
C4 290

The viscosity of TPX remarkably decreased at the over melting point. Therefore, the recommended Screw Adaptor 290
gate shape is a pin gate to avoid residual strain around the gate. A pin gate at the off center position is We will propose a following screw design for extrusion of TPX. Die 290
especially recommended for shallow products. (1) Long feed Casting Roll Temperature 50
Example of Injection
Cylinder temperature Molding Condition Feed zone of 8-12D is suitable for plasticization of TPX. Pull-Up Speed (m/min) 20
Injection (2) Semi-compression screw Film Thickness (um) 50
Injection temperature is in the range from 270 to 300 . Clamp Force Capacity: 70ton
Machine A semi-compression screw is suitable for TPX extrusion. The proper
Injection pressure/injection speed Screw compression ratio is in the range from 2.6 to 3.8. The desirable length of the compression zone is about
Diameter 32mm
Injection pressure and injection speed should be set as low as Casserole Dish 10D
possible to obtain the product with free residual strain. Mold shape 136 136 58 (3) Long metering
(max thickness 3mm A screw with a metering zone with more than 8D is suitable to homogenize and mix the molten resin
Mold temperature
Gate Pin Gate sufficiently.
Mold temperature is in the range from 20 to 60 Pre-Drying Not Required (4) Depth
Basic mold structure C1 270 If the screw has a large depth at the feed zone, TPX pellets hardly receive sufficient heat for
Cylinder C2 280 plasticizing from the barrel. Therefore, the depth should be around 6mm for the case of < 60mm cylinder
Although the mold structure for TPX injection is basically
Temperature C3 300 diameter.
similar to a PP type, an ejecting method and a surface finish C4 300
condition are slightly different due to the TPX inherent
Nozzle 290 Blow molding
release property.
P1 30
Injeciton The blow molding of TPX is limited to the direct blow molding process. The injection blow molding
Mold materials Pressure P2 40
process is not suitable due to the difficulty of uniform stretching. It should be noted that the transparency
A mold material should be chosen from the viewpoints of (MPa) Pressure 30
keeping of a blow molded TPX product is inferior as compared to an injection molded product.
surface hardness, corrosion resistance, machinability and total V1 30
injection speed
shot number. The recommended mold material for TPX (% ) V2 40 Post-Processing and Coloring
should have the following features. t1+t2 3
Injeciton time For the purposes of printing, painting and bonding, TPX needs to have frame, corona and plasma
(s) Dwell
(1) Mirror-like polished surface 2
Pressure treatments to increase its surface tension. TPX is not suitable for cutting manufacturing due to low
(2) Good resistance against cloud and rust generated by molded Cooling Time(s) 20 mechanical strength. The most suitable method to color TPX is dry blending with color mastarbatch.
gas Cylinder Temperature 40 With respect to the choice of color masterbatch, it should have high heat resistance which can be
Surface finish
sustained at processing temperature of TPX.

The surface finish of a mold determines the transparency of a TPX product as TPX easily catches up
a mold surface topography. The mold should be polished as fine as possible. A proper thickness of the The more detailed information about TPX processing is available as technical brochure.
mold plating is in the range from 0.015 to 0.02mm. Gas generation is occasionally a concern issue as TPX
is usually injected at nearby 300 . It is recommended that a mold is occasionally cleaned by cloth during
injection molding and anti-corrosion agent is better to be sprayed on the surface of mold.

TPX