JP2018002819A - Thermoplastic elastomer mixture and continuum forming method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermoplastic elastomer mixture capable of making an embodiment of molding or forming a thermoplastic elastomer which is impossible in prior art available, and manufacturing a foam body of the thermoplastic elastomer without generating various problems in prior art, and a continuum forming method using the same.SOLUTION: A thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1 is manufactured by mixing a granule of a thermoplastic elastomer and a liquid. After making the thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1 to a desired shape, the thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1 is heated at a temperature higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic elastomer (glass transition point when the thermoplastic elastomer has no melting point), the granule of the thermoplastic elastomer is molten (or increasing flowability of the thermoplastic elastomer), then cooling them to form a solid shaped continuum with continuous desired shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermoplastic elastomer mixture obtained by mixing a liquid into thermoplastic elastomer granules and a continuum forming method using the thermoplastic elastomer mixture to form a thermoplastic elastomer continuum (however, continuous When the thermoplastic elastomer is crosslinked when forming the body, the continuous body loses thermoplasticity and becomes a thermosetting resin).

  Conventionally, as described in Non-Patent Document 1, for example, thermoplastic elastomers are injection molded, extruded, blow molded, vacuum molded, etc., as with thermoplastics, using a molding machine for resin. It was shape | molded by the method of.

Conventionally, the foamed thermoplastic elastomer also uses a molding machine for resin, and as described in Patent Document 1, etc., a chemical foaming agent is added, or a low boiling point solvent such as butane is added. Used, water as a blowing agent, or CO ₂ or N ₂ in a supercritical state.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-127201

“Thermoplastic Elastomers”, “Classification”, “Thermoplastic elastomers can be processed in the same way as thermoplastics while having the properties of elastomers”, [online], KRAIBURG, [ Search June 10, 2016], Internet <URL: http://www.kraiburg-tpe.com/en/products/thermoplastic-elastomers>

  Conventionally, since the thermoplastic elastomer has been molded in the same manner as the thermoplastic as described above, there has been a problem that the molding mode of the thermoplastic elastomer is limited, and the use of the thermoplastic elastomer is limited.

In addition, since thermoplastic elastomer foams have been conventionally produced by the above-described method, it is difficult to set the production conditions, there is contamination due to decomposition residues of the chemical foaming agent, and hydrocarbon equipment such as butane. However, when using an explosion-proof structure or using CO ₂ or N ₂ , high pressure is required.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional situation, and one of the objects of the present invention is that a thermoplastic elastomer can be molded without using a molding machine for resin, which has been impossible in the past. An object of the present invention is to provide a thermoplastic elastomer mixture and a continuum forming method using the same, which can be molded or shaped, and can be used in applications where thermoplastic elastomers have not been possible.

  Another object of the present invention is to produce a thermoplastic elastomer foam (finally a thermosetting resin foam when the thermoplastic elastomer is crosslinked) without causing the above-mentioned conventional problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a thermoplastic elastomer mixture and a continuum forming method using the same.

  Still other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

  The thermoplastic elastomer mixture according to the present invention is obtained by mixing thermoplastic elastomer particles and a liquid.

Moreover, the continuum forming method according to the present invention includes:
Preparing a thermoplastic elastomer mixture obtained by mixing thermoplastic elastomer powder and liquid;
After the thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic elastomer (or glass transition point if the thermoplastic elastomer does not have a melting point), the thermoplastic elastomer powder is melted. (After the thermoplastic elastomer has no melting point, after increasing the fluidity of the thermoplastic elastomer), it is cooled to form a continuous solid continuous body. .

  As the thermoplastic elastomer in the present invention, basically any kind of thermoplastic elastomer can be used.

  As the liquid in the present invention, those having compatibility with the thermoplastic elastomer and those having no compatibility can be used. However, depending on whether or not there is compatibility, there is a difference in the effect as described below.

  When the liquid is compatible with the thermoplastic elastomer, a part of the liquid is dissolved between the molecules of the thermoplastic elastomer in the granular state in a state of normal temperature (50 ° C. or less) before heating. The rest of the liquid is present between the thermoplastic elastomer granules (external to the thermoplastic elastomer).

  On the other hand, if the liquid is not compatible with the thermoplastic elastomer, all of the liquid is present between the thermoplastic elastomer particles at room temperature before heating (all of the liquid is outside the thermoplastic elastomer). It is in).

  When the mixture is heated to a temperature higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic elastomer (or the glass transition point if the thermoplastic elastomer does not have a melting point), the thermoplastic elastomer particles melt (if the thermoplastic elastomer does not have a melting point) Increases the fluidity of the thermoplastic elastomer), and when subsequently cooled, the thermoplastic elastomer becomes a continuous solid continuum.

  Here, when the liquid is compatible with the thermoplastic elastomer, all of the liquid is dissolved between the molecules of the thermoplastic elastomer that has become a continuous body by the heating (thereby, finally, The effect that the flexibility of the continuous body made of the thermoplastic elastomer obtained can be increased is also obtained).

  On the other hand, when the liquid is not compatible with the thermoplastic elastomer, the heating causes the liquid to be held in the network structure of the thermoplastic elastomer that has become a continuous body. Therefore, if the liquid is subsequently removed, a continuous porous body of the thermoplastic elastomer can be obtained.

  In the present invention, by appropriately selecting the viscosity of the liquid and the ratio of the thermoplastic elastomer to the liquid, etc., the thermoplastic elastomer mixture as a whole is changed from a liquid state to a paste-like, putty-like or clay-like state. It can be.

  This makes it possible to determine the shape of the thermoplastic elastomer mixture by the following various methods so that a continuous body having a desired shape is finally obtained.

  When the thermoplastic elastomer mixture is liquid or pasty, the shape of the thermoplastic elastomer mixture can be changed to the desired shape by 3D printer, brush coating, brush coating, extrusion from a tube, printing, glue drawing, casting (casting method), etc. Can be created.

  On the other hand, when the thermoplastic elastomer mixture is putty-like or clay-like, the thermoplastic elastomer mixture can be formed into a desired shape by hand in the same manner as clay work, or after filling the mold with the thermoplastic elastomer mixture, It can also be made into the shape corresponding to a type | mold (the removal from a type | mold can also be performed after heating, or after making it a continuous body by heating). It is also possible to mold a desired object with a thermoplastic elastomer mixture (in this case, the continuum eventually becomes a mold).

  In the present invention, the thermoplastic elastomer can be obtained even when the thermoplastic elastomer mixture is not accommodated in the mold by appropriately selecting the viscosity of the liquid and the ratio of the granular particles of the thermoplastic elastomer to the liquid. When the mixture is heated to form a continuum, the shape does not change, and the shape of the continuum finally obtained can be the same as the shape of the thermoplastic elastomer mixture before heating.

  The boiling point of the liquid is preferably higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic elastomer (or the glass transition point when the thermoplastic elastomer does not have a melting point). This is because it is not preferable that the liquid evaporates when the thermoplastic elastomer mixture is made continuous by the heating.

  The liquid is preferably a liquid that does not cause a chemical reaction in the thermoplastic elastomer.

  Further, in the present invention, the thermoplastic elastomer mixture and the liquid are not limited to only one type each, and a plurality of types of either one or both may exist. The thermoplastic elastomer mixture may have a combination of a combination of a thermoplastic elastomer and a liquid that are compatible with each other and a combination of a thermoplastic elastomer and a liquid that are not compatible with each other.

  In this way, when one or both of the thermoplastic elastomer mixture and the liquid are present in plural types, a combination effect that cannot be obtained when only one type of the thermoplastic elastomer mixture and the liquid is used can be obtained.

  Various functional materials may be added to the thermoplastic elastomer mixture of the present invention. Thereby, various functions can be provided to the continuum finally obtained. Examples of such a functional material include metal powder, ceramic powder, shirasu balloon, carbon nanotube, cellulose nanotube, various short fibers, various catalysts, and functional dyes.

  In the present invention, a crosslinking agent may be added to the thermoplastic elastomer mixture, and the thermoplastic elastomer may be crosslinked when the thermoplastic elastomer mixture is heated (in this case, the continuum finally obtained is It loses thermoplasticity and becomes a thermosetting resin).

The thermoplastic elastomer mixture according to the present invention and a continuum forming method using the same are as follows:
(A) The thermoplastic elastomer can be molded without using a molding machine for resin, and molding or modeling that was impossible in the past is also possible. As a result, the thermoplastic elastomer should be used for applications that were impossible in the past. Is also possible,
(B) A thermoplastic elastomer foam (finally a thermosetting resin foam when the thermoplastic elastomer is cross-linked) can be produced without causing the conventional problems.
It is possible to obtain excellent effects such as.

In Example 1 of this invention, it is sectional drawing which shows the state which applied the thermoplastic elastomer mixture to the sheet-like body in the multilayer. It is sectional drawing which shows the state made into the solid solid body which heated and cooled the thermoplastic-elastomer mixture in Example 1, and was set as the three-dimensional painting. In Example 3 of this invention, it is sectional drawing which shows the state which accommodated the thermoplastic elastomer mixture in the type | mold. In Example 3, it is sectional drawing which shows the state which heated the thermoplastic elastomer mixture with the type | mold, then cooled and made it the continuous solid continuous body. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which removed the continuous body from the type | mold in Example 3. FIG. In Example 5 of this invention, it is sectional drawing which shows the state which accommodated the thermoplastic elastomer mixture in the type | mold. In Example 5, it is sectional drawing which shows the state which heated the thermoplastic elastomer mixture with the type | mold for a short time, then cooled, and made only the part close | similar to the inner surface of the type | mold of the thermoplastic elastomer mixture into the solid continuous body. . In Example 5, it is sectional drawing which shows the state which removed the molded article from which the outer side was a continuous body and the inside was still a thermoplastic elastomer mixture.

  The combination of the thermoplastic elastomer and the liquid in the thermoplastic elastomer mixture of the present invention will be described in more detail as follows.

  In general, a combination of a nonpolar thermoplastic elastomer and a nonpolar liquid and a combination of a polar thermoplastic elastomer and a polar liquid are highly compatible, and conversely, a combination of a nonpolar thermoplastic elastomer and a polar liquid and a polar liquid The combination of the thermoplastic elastomer and the nonpolar liquid is not compatible.

  Therefore, when the thermoplastic elastomer mixture is to be composed of a thermoplastic elastomer powder and a liquid compatible with each other, for example, (i) Nonpolar thermoplastic elastomer (olefin, 1,2, polybutadiene, styrene) Etc.) and nonpolar liquids (natural oil, synthetic oil, petroleum oil, etc.) or (ii) polar thermoplastic elastomer (polyester, polyamide, polyurethane, etc.) It can be combined with polar liquids (ionic liquid, propylene carbonate, etc.) (however, compatibility with non-polar thermoplastic elastomers and non-polar liquids and with polar thermoplastic elastomers and polar liquids is also compatible) May not be).

  Further, when it is desired to configure the thermoplastic elastomer mixture with thermoplastic elastomer particles and liquid that are not compatible with each other, for example, (i) Nonpolar thermoplastic elastomer (olefin-based, 1,2-polybutadiene-based, styrene-based) Etc.) and polar liquids (glycols, alcohols, glycerin, water, various aqueous solutions, etc.) or (ii) polar thermoplastic elastomers (polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes, etc.) What is necessary is just to combine a body and nonpolar liquids (paraffinic oil, silicone oil, etc.).

  Further, when the thermoplastic elastomer mixture has a combination of a combination of a thermoplastic elastomer and a liquid that are compatible with each other and a combination of a thermoplastic elastomer and a liquid that are not compatible with each other, for example, , (I) the granules have both non-polar thermoplastic elastomer granules and polar thermoplastic elastomer granules, and the liquid is compatible with one of the non-polar and polar thermoplastic elastomers (Ii) the granular material is only one of non-polar thermoplastic elastomer granular material or polar thermoplastic elastomer granular material, and the liquid has both non-polar liquid and polar liquid; One of these liquids is compatible with the thermoplastic elastomer granules and the other liquid is compatible with the thermoplastic elastomer granules (Iii) The granular material has both a nonpolar thermoplastic elastomer granular material and a polar thermoplastic elastomer granular material, and the liquid is a nonpolar liquid. A combination of thermoplastic elastomer particles and liquid that are compatible with each other, and a combination of thermoplastic elastomer particles and liquid that are not compatible with each other. Two or more of each may exist.

  The ratio of the thermoplastic elastomer to the liquid makes the viscosity or fluidity of the thermoplastic elastomer mixture as a whole suitable, and even when the thermoplastic elastomer mixture is not contained in the mold, the thermoplastic elastomer mixture is heated. In order to prevent a change in shape when formed into a continuous body, it is preferably 20 parts by weight: 80 parts by weight to 80 parts by weight: 20 parts by weight, more preferably 30 parts by weight: 70 parts by weight to 70 parts by weight. Parts: 30 parts by weight

  The particle diameter of the thermoplastic elastomer powder is preferably several hundred μm or less, more preferably several tens of μm or less, in order to appropriately obtain the effects of the present invention. Since commercially available thermoplastic elastomers are sold in the form of pellets, they cannot usually be used as they are, and need to be made into granules having an appropriate particle size.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

  This example is an example in which a three-dimensional picture is created by a thermoplastic elastomer mixture (in this example, the continuum finally obtained constitutes a three-dimensional picture).

(A) A non-polar olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer ethylene / α-olefin copolymer (manufactured by Dow Chemical Japan Co., Ltd., trade name: Engage 8401) in a granular form with a particle size of 20 μm ... 100 Parts by weight,
(B) A non-polar paraffinic oil compatible with the thermoplastic elastomer (a) (made by Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., trade name: Diana Process Oil PW-90) ... 70 parts by weight and (c) a pigment ... a small amount Thus, a thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1 having a viscosity or fluidity equivalent to that of a paint having a high viscosity is obtained. Then, the thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1 is prepared in a necessary number of different colors by changing the type of pigment.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 1, a three-dimensional picture is drawn by applying the thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1 of each color to a sheet-like body 2 such as paper or PET film with a spatula or the like so as to form a multilayer.

  Next, it is heated to 80 to 100 ° C. above the melting point of the thermoplastic elastomer by an oven, a range, a hot water bath, etc., and the thermoplastic elastomer powder is melted and then cooled, as shown in FIG. A continuous solid continuum 3 is obtained. Thus, when the thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1 is heated to form a continuum 3, the shape does not change, and the shape of the continuum 3 finally obtained is that of the shape of the thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1 before heating. Will remain.

  Thereby, the three-dimensional picture which consists of a thermoplastic elastomer which has a three-dimensional unevenness | corrugation can be created easily.

  In the case of this example, the paraffinic oil (b) is finally in a state in which it is completely dissolved between the molecules of the thermoplastic elastomer constituting the continuum 3.

  In this example, three-dimensional modeling is performed with the thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1.

(A) Nonpolar olefin-based plastic elastomer ethylene / α-olefin copolymer (Dow Chemical Japan Co., Ltd., trade name: Engage 8401) in a granular form with a particle size of 20 μm ... 50 weight Part,
(B) A non-polar polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, ethylene / 1-octene copolymer (Dow Chemical Japan Co., Ltd., trade name: Engage 8150) in a granular form with a particle size of 20 μm ... 50 Parts by weight,
(C) Non-polar ethylene / α-olefin copolymer (trade name: Lucant HC-10, manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals), which is a liquid that is non-polar and compatible with the thermoplastic elastomers (a) and (b) 50 parts by weight And (d) A small amount of pigment is mixed to obtain a thermoplastic elastomer mixture of a desired color having a putty-like or clay-like viscosity or fluidity.

  Next, in the same manner as for clay work, manually form the thermoplastic elastomer mixture into a desired shape, or after filling the mold with the thermoplastic elastomer mixture, remove it from the mold and remove the thermoplastic elastomer mixture in a shape corresponding to the mold. By obtaining, a three-dimensional shape is formed with the thermoplastic elastomer mixture.

  Next, it is heated to 80 to 100 ° C., which is equal to or higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic elastomer by hot water immersion or the like, and after the thermoplastic elastomer powder is melted, it is cooled to obtain a continuous solid continuous body. .

  Also in this example, when the thermoplastic elastomer mixture was heated to form a continuum, the shape did not change, and the shape of the continuum finally obtained was the shape that the thermoplastic elastomer mixture had made before heating. It becomes.

  Therefore, a continuous body made of a thermoplastic elastomer having a desired three-dimensional shape can be prepared very easily.

  If you prepare multiple thermoplastic elastomer mixtures with different colors by changing the type of pigment and combine these multiple types of thermoplastic elastomer mixtures, you can combine multiple types of colors as they are. A continuous body can be obtained.

  Also in this example, the ethylene / α-olefin copolymer of (c) is finally in a state where all of the thermoplastic elastomer constituting the continuum is dissolved. .

  In this example, an artificial cork is prepared using the thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1.

(A) A non-polar thermoplastic elastomer, syndiotactic 1,2 polybutadiene (manufactured by JSR, trade name: RB-810) in a granular form having a particle size of 20 μm ... 100 parts by weight,
(B) Liquid paraffin which is nonpolar and compatible with the thermoplastic elastomer of (a): 200 parts by weight,
(C) Shirasu balloon (density 200 kg / m ³ ) 60 parts by weight and (d) cross-linking agent 0.2 parts by weight are mixed to obtain a liquid thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1. The thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1 is accommodated in the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 4b as shown in FIG. 3 and heated to 140 to 150 ° C. which is not lower than the melting point of the thermoplastic elastomer to melt the thermoplastic elastomer particles. After crosslinking, cooling is performed to obtain a continuous solid continuum 3 as shown in FIG. Here, in this embodiment, since the thermoplastic elastomer is cross-linked, the continuous body 3 loses thermoplasticity and becomes a thermosetting resin. Next, the continuous body 3 is removed from the molds 4a and 4b as shown in FIG.

  Since the shirasu balloon is blended, the continuous body 3 can be used as an artificial cork or the like.

  Also in this example, the liquid paraffin (b) is finally in a state of being completely dissolved between the molecules of the thermosetting resin constituting the continuum 3.

  In this example, a breathable packing is prepared by using a thermoplastic elastomer mixture.

(A) A non-polar polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, ethylene / 1-octene copolymer (manufactured by Dow Chemical Japan Co., Ltd., trade name: Engage 8150) in a granular form with a particle size of 20 μm ... 100 Parts by weight,
(B) Parapolar oil that is non-polar and compatible with the thermoplastic elastomer of (a) (made by Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., trade name: Diana Process Oil PW-90): 50 parts by weight
(C) Polyethylene glycol 300 ... 200 parts by weight which is polar and incompatible with the thermoplastic elastomer (a) and (d) an emulsifier ... a small amount are mixed to obtain a liquid thermoplastic elastomer mixture. This thermoplastic elastomer mixture was poured into the mold in the same manner as in Example 3, and heated to 80 to 100 ° C. above the melting point of the thermoplastic elastomer to melt the thermoplastic elastomer particles and then cooled. And remove it from the mold. Since the polyethylene glycol 300 of (c) is held in the network structure of the thermoplastic elastomer that has become a continuous body, removal of this will give a continuous porous body of the thermoplastic elastomer, and ventilation. It can be used as an adhesive packing.

  In addition, in the thermoplastic elastomer mixture of this example, in addition to the incompatible liquid (c), the compatible liquid (b) is added to the thermoplastic elastomer mixture. This is to increase the fluidity of the continuum and to increase the flexibility of the continuous body made of the thermoplastic elastomer finally obtained.

  This example is an example in which a part of the thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1 is left without finally making the entire thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1 a continuous body.

(A) A non-polar polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, ethylene / 1-octene copolymer (manufactured by Dow Chemical Japan Co., Ltd., trade name: Engage 8150) in a granular form with a particle size of 20 μm ... 100 (B) Paraffinic oil (b) nonpolar and compatible with the thermoplastic elastomer (a) (made by Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., trade name: Diana Process Oil PW-90) ... 150 parts by weight are mixed and pasted A putty-like thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1 is obtained. The thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1 is accommodated in the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 4b as shown in FIG. At this time, the thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1 is filled in the upper mold 4a and the lower mold 4b. Next, by heating only to 190 ° C., which is equal to or higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic elastomer, for 2 minutes, a portion of the thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1 close to the inner surfaces of the molds 4a and 4b is a thermoplastic elastomer powder. Is melted, but heating is stopped and cooled at the stage where the granular material does not dissolve in the part existing on the side far from the inner surfaces of the molds 4a and 4b.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the portion closer to the inner surface of the molds 4a and 4b becomes a continuous solid continuous body 3 made of thermoplastic elastomer, but exists on the side far from the inner surfaces of the molds 4a and 4b. The part remains the thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1. Thereafter, the molded product in which the outside is the continuous body 3 and the inside is the thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1 is removed from the molds 4a and 4b as shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, it is possible to easily form a molded product in which only the outer portion becomes the continuous body 3 and the inner portion remains the thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1. And by doing in this way, the whole becomes the continuous body 3, such as not showing excessive rubber elasticity, improving the shock absorbing ability, improving the vibration proofing performance, and improving the tactile sensation. It is possible to obtain performance that cannot be obtained with the molded product.

  In this example, the paraffinic oil (b) finally melts between the molecules of the thermoplastic elastomer constituting the continuum 3 in the outer continuum 3. On the other hand, in the portion where the inner thermoplastic elastomer mixture 1 remains, a part is dissolved between the molecules of the thermoplastic elastomer in the granular state, and the rest is the thermoplastic elastomer. It exists between the granular materials.

  The present invention can be applied to a wide range of products other than those shown in the above-mentioned embodiments, for example, cap seals, soft conductive materials, soft heat conductive materials, soft light weight materials, soft dielectric materials, fragrances, impact buffer materials, It can also be used for 3D printers, capacitors, sensors, actuators, reactors, fine bubbles, microchips, and the like.

  As described above, the thermoplastic elastomer mixture obtained by mixing liquid into the thermoplastic elastomer powder according to the present invention and the continuous body forming method using the thermoplastic elastomer mixture are useful for forming various continuous bodies. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermoplastic elastomer mixture 2 Sheet-like body 3 Continuous body 4a Upper mold | type 4b Lower mold | type

Moreover, the continuum forming method according to the present invention includes:
Preparing a thermoplastic elastomer mixture obtained by mixing thermoplastic elastomer powder and liquid;
After the thermoplastic elastomer mixture is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic elastomer (or the glass transition point if the thermoplastic elastomer does not have a melting point), the thermoplastic elastomer particles are melted. (After the thermoplastic elastomer has no melting point, after increasing the fluidity of the thermoplastic elastomer), it is cooled to form a continuous solid continuous body. .

Claims (18)

  A thermoplastic elastomer mixture obtained by mixing a thermoplastic elastomer powder and a liquid.   2. The thermoplastic elastomer mixture according to claim 1, wherein the liquid has a boiling point higher than a melting point of the thermoplastic elastomer (or a glass transition point when the thermoplastic elastomer does not have a melting point).   The thermoplastic elastomer mixture according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid does not cause a chemical reaction to the thermoplastic elastomer.   The thermoplastic elastomer mixture according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the liquid is compatible with the thermoplastic elastomer.   The thermoplastic elastomer mixture according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the liquid is incompatible with the thermoplastic elastomer.   At least one of the thermoplastic elastomer and the liquid is present in at least two or more combinations of the thermoplastic elastomer and the liquid that are compatible with each other, and the thermoplastic elastomer and the liquid that are not compatible with each other. The thermoplastic elastomer mixture according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein both combinations are present.   The thermoplastic resin according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a ratio between the thermoplastic elastomer powder and the liquid is 20 parts by weight: 80 parts by weight to 80 parts by weight: 20 parts by weight. Elastomer mixture.   The thermoplastic elastomer mixture according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a particle diameter of the thermoplastic elastomer powder is several hundreds of micrometers or less.   The thermoplastic elastomer mixture according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a functional material is added. Preparing a thermoplastic elastomer mixture obtained by mixing thermoplastic elastomer powder and liquid;
After the thermoplastic elastomer mixture is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic elastomer (or glass transition point if the thermoplastic elastomer does not have a melting point), the thermoplastic elastomer powder is melted ( A method of forming a continuum comprising: a step of increasing the fluidity of the thermoplastic elastomer if the thermoplastic elastomer does not have a melting point; and cooling to form a continuous solid continuum. .   The continuum forming method according to claim 10, wherein the liquid has a boiling point higher than a melting point of the thermoplastic elastomer (or a glass transition point when the thermoplastic elastomer does not have a melting point).   The continuum forming method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the liquid does not cause a chemical reaction to the thermoplastic elastomer.   The continuum forming method according to claim 10, wherein the liquid is compatible with the thermoplastic elastomer. The liquid is incompatible with the thermoplastic elastomer;
The thermoplastic elastomer mixture is heated to melt the thermoplastic elastomer particles (if the thermoplastic elastomer does not have a melting point, the fluidity of the thermoplastic elastomer is increased) and then cooled. Then, after the step of forming a continuous solid continuum, the method further comprises the step of removing the liquid from the continuum to obtain a continuous porous body. The continuum formation method.   At least one of the thermoplastic elastomer and the liquid is present in at least two or more types, a combination of the thermoplastic elastomer and the liquid that are compatible with each other, and the thermoplastic elastomer and the liquid that are not compatible with each other. The continuous body formation method of any one of Claims 10 thru | or 12 with the combination of both.   The continuum according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein a ratio of the thermoplastic elastomer powder and the liquid is 20 parts by weight: 80 parts by weight to 80 parts by weight: 20 parts by weight. Forming method.   The continuous body formation method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein a particle size of the thermoplastic elastomer powder is set to several hundred µm or less. The continuum forming method according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein a functional material is added to the thermoplastic elastomer mixture.

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