flows and therefore can be cast, molded, or extruded into any desired form. On cooling, this new form resumes its elastomeric character. This is the reason such a material is called a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The polystyrene blocks form domains of nanometre size in the microstructure, and they stabilize the form of the molded material. Depending on the rubber-to-polystyrene ratio in the material, the polystyrene domains can be spherical or form cylinders or lamellae. The hydrogenated Kraton polymers named Kraton G exhibit improved resistance to temperature (processing at 200–230 °C is common), to oxidation, and to UV. SEBS and SEPS due to their polyolefinic rubber nature present excellent compatibility with polyolefins and paraffinic oils. Applications Kraton polymers are always used in blends with various other ingredients like paraffinic oils, polyolefins, polystyrene, bitumen, tackifying resins, and fillers to provide a very large range of end-use products ranging from hot melt adhesives to impact-modified transparent polypropylene bins, from medical TPE compounds to modified bitumen roofing felts or from oil gel toys (including sex toys) to elastic attachments in diapers. It can make asphalt flexible, which is necessary if the asphalt is to be used to coat a surface that is below grade or for highly demanding paving applications like F1 racing tracks. Kraton-based compounds are also used in non-slip knife handles. The earliest commercial components using Kraton G (thermoplastic rubber) in the automobile industry were in 1970s. The implementation of U.S. requirements for automobile bumpers to absorb impacts with no damage to the car's safety equipment lead to the first successful commercial automotive application of specialized flexible polymers as fascia for the 1974 AMC Matador. American Motors Corporation (AMC) also used this polymer plastic on the AMC Eagle for the color matched flexible wheel arch flares that flowed into rocker panel extensions. This was needed because of the Eagle's 2-inch wider track compared to the AMC Concord platform on which the AWD cars were based on. The Eagle's Kraton bodywork was lightweight, flexible, and did not crack in cold weather as is typical of fiberglass automobile body components. Some grades of Kraton can also be dissolved into hydrocarbon oils to create "shear thinning" grease-type products that are used in the manufacture of telecommunications cables containing optical fibers. References Polymers Copolymers Brand name materials