Photovoltaic power generation will have plenty of potential to grow as carbon neutrality becomes a global focus.The total installed capacity of photovoltaic systems throughout the world was 760.4 GW as of the end of 2020.The majority of the material used to make the film is EVA, with an ever-rising fraction of POE.

1. What is POE?

(POE) is a thermoplastic elastomer that uses metallocene catalysts to realize in-situ polymerization of ethylene and α-olefin, in which the polyethylene chain crystalline region (resin phase) acts as a physical cross-linking point and has typical plastic properties , after adding a certain amount of α-olefins (1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, etc.), the crystalline region of the polyethylene chain is weakened, forming an amorphous region (rubber phase) showing rubber elasticity, Make the product have the properties of an elastomer.

POE may be seen of as a bridge product between plastic and rubber since it possesses the dual features of plastic and rubber as well as outstanding all-around performance. Ethylene-octene copolymer, commonly known as EOC or Poly (ethylene-1-octene), is referred to as POE in a more specific meaning.

When the higher -olefin concentration in the copolymer of ethylene and ethylene is high, it is a semi-crystalline, low modulus polymer. Through the crystallization of polyethylene segments, copolymers of ethylene and higher olefins serve as physical cross-links, displaying the characteristics of thermoplastic elastomers.A fast evolving class of ethylene and higher -olefin copolymers is ethylene-octene.

When a particular quantity of -olefins (1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, etc.) are added, the resin phase (polyethylene chain) of the POE molecular chain works as a physical crosslinking site. The rubber phase is formed by the crystalline portion of the ethylene chain, which transforms into an amorphous area with rubber elasticity, giving POE its remarkable performance as a thermoplastic elastomer.

2. POE’s crucial applications

Like EVA, EEA, EBA, etc., POE elastomer is fundamentally branching polyethylene. Polyolefin elastomer POE has an extremely narrow molecular weight distribution, a short branched chain structure (short branched chain distribution is uniform), and no unsaturated double bonds. As a result, it has excellent mechanical and physical characteristics like high elasticity, high strength, and high elongation, as well as excellent low temperature resistance.

Since the material is difficult to bend during injection and extrusion processing due to the limited molecular weight distribution, POE materials offer exceptional processing capabilities. Because the POE macromolecular chain has a saturated structure and only includes a small number of tertiary carbon atoms, it has good heat and UV tolerance.

Additionally, it successfully manages the insertion of long-chain branches into the polymer’s linear short-chain branching structure, which enhances the material’s transparency and successfully enhances the rheology of the polymer during processing.

POE can replace materials like rubber, flexible PVC, EPDM, EPR, EMA, EVA, TPV, SBC, and LDPE. It is used in a variety of products, including wires and cables, auto parts, durable goods, extrusions, molded parts, sealing materials, pipe fittings, fabric coatings, and flexible conduits. POE can also be used as a low-temperature impact modifier to increase the low-temperature impact resistance of PP.

POE doesn’t need to be mixed or vulcanized. It may be manufactured and processed using standard thermoplastic processing machinery. The processing pressure and temperature for molding should typically be a little greater, and processing rates can be quite high. It may be blow molded, extruded, calender processed into sheet or film, extruded, injection molded, and thermoformed to create items with intricate forms. As required, additional pigments can be mixed to create different hues.

Depending on the needs of the product, some producers provide several grades of special ingredients, such as oil-resistant, flame-retardant, electrically stable, and electrostatically paintable. Compounding agents, such as antioxidants, softeners, fillers, and colorants, can occasionally be added in order to enhance processing performance, increase some goods’ performance, or lower the cost.Scraps and leftovers can be recycled and utilized again. However, in most cases the blending ratio does not go over 30%.The impact resistance and elongation at break of the system are significantly enhanced with an increase in POE content. As can be shown, POE has high compatibility with PP and activated calcium carbonate and a great toughening impact on PP.

The side octyl group in the molecular structure of POE is longer than the side ethyl group, which can form a connection point in the molecular structure and act as a connection and buffer between the components, allowing the system to be dispersed when it is impacted. This is due to the narrow molecular weight distribution of POE. Impact strength of the system is increased as a result of the effect of buffering impact energy, which lowers the possibility of stress-induced crazes turning into fractures. The network structure generated by these connection sites can experience substantial deformation while the system is under tension, which causes a significant increase in the system’s elongation at break.Tensile strength and bending properties increase as POE content rises. Due to the performance of POE itself, which affects both strength and flexural modulus, the content of POE needs to be kept below 20%.

The system’s melt index rises once POE is added, according to the link between POE content and melt index. much if POE already has good fluidity, its inclusion makes the system as a whole much more fluid. The system’s melt index essentially stays the same when the POE content surpasses 15 parts. You cannot entirely rely on POE if you want to keep the system’s smoothness improving.

Given the aforementioned traits, POE’s application path is as follows:

1.Modification of PP

The modified and toughened PP may be used for office stationery, battery vehicle and motorbike accessories, car bumpers, car door panels, home appliance shells, PP jelly cups, etc. by blending with elastomer POE to increase the impact performance of PP.

2. Boost the effectiveness of PP/PE recycling

Plastic pallets, turnover boxes, tool boxes, office chair accessories, beach chairs, etc. may all be made of plastic using PP/PE recycling, adding POE mixing granulation, or direct injection molding.

3. An agent that makes engineering polymers, such as PA nylon, more durable and compatible

Through peroxide initiation, POE may be grafted with maleic anhydride (MAH), glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), acrylic acid (AA), and other monomers. The resulting grafts are frequently employed for toughening. Additionally, compatibilizers for plastic alloys may be made from engineering polymers like PA.

4. Using EVA to foam

Foaming will work better because POE has significantly more flexibility and resilience than EVA. For instance, the product’s weight is lower, its compression and rebound properties are better, it feels wonderful to the touch, its cells are uniform and delicate, and it doesn’t rip. High strength and other notable benefits. POE has been utilized extensively in a variety of goods, including molded foam, injection foam following granulation, beach shoes, slippers, sports shoe midsoles, mouse pads, seat cushions, Styrofoam, thermal insulation materials, cushioning sheets, and bag linings.

5. Modification of POE for EVA extrusion hose

The inner layer of the extruded hose has a mixture of EVA and POE added so that the hose has an anti-pollution seal, a low needed heat-sealing temperature, and a higher necessary heat-sealing strength. often utilized in drain pipes, washing machine hoses, and vacuum cleaner hoses.

6. A color or filler masterbatch

POE is employed in masterbatches or masterbatches as a carrier or as a replacement for PE wax, which can enhance the quality of the former.

7.Hot melt glue

The product may be odorless, low density, high flow coating, good wettability, etc., and can also be used in conjunction with EVA to create high-grade hot melt adhesive in place of EVA.

8. Cable construction

In addition, POE has a low rate of change in hardness and strength and may be used in place of or in combination with EVA to manufacture halogen-free flame-retardant cable materials. POE can replace EVA, EEA, or EPDM for non-PVC cable sheath material insulation.

9. Membrane-related goods

such as PE film, which is based on combining POE/LLDPE/CPP.

10. Nonwoven material

Spunmelt nonwovens need to be produced with the right polyolefin elastomers and other functional additives in order to increase their softness and drapeability. The performance of non-woven textiles may be significantly enhanced by formula design by adding a certain proportion of elastomer, and the product weight can be significantly decreased. Significant improvements will be made to its softness, static friction coefficient, and dynamic friction coefficient.