Elastiliser

Elastiliser is a term used in materials science and textile technology to describe the action or agent that imparts elasticity to a material. In practice, elastilisation can refer to chemical modification of a polymer or the addition of elastomeric components and processing strategies that enable elastic deformation and recovery. The concept is commonly discussed in French-language technical literature, where elastilisation encompasses methods that increase a material’s ability to stretch and return to its original shape.

Common approaches to elastilisation include incorporating elastomeric polymers into a matrix through blending, alloying, or grafting. Materials such as natural or synthetic rubbers, polyurethane, and thermoplastic elastomers are often used to create dispersed or continuous elastomeric domains that confer stretch. Plasticizers or flexibilizers may be added to increase segment mobility and reduce stiffness, while crosslinking strategies—including dynamic or reversible bonds—can enhance resilience and recovery after deformation.

Applications of elastilised materials span textiles, coatings, films, adhesives, and molded articles. In textiles, elastilisation supports fabrics with higher stretch and comfort, such as spandex-containing blends. In coatings and films, elastic properties improve resistance to cracking and accommodate bending and flexing. In automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods, elastilised components contribute to product durability and performance where cyclic deformation occurs.

Key properties influenced by elastilisation include increased elongation at break, improved elastic recovery, and enhanced resilience, often with trade-offs in tensile strength, heat resistance, or aging stability. Compatibility between components and processing conditions are critical to achieving stable, long-term elasticity.

See also: elastomer, plasticizer, thermoplastic elastomer, polymer blending.