Method for preparing a preform for making thin-walled, closed-ended, tubilar articles of thermoplastic elastomers.

摘要

A method to prepare a thermoplastic elastomeric preform for forming or drawing into a thin walled, closed-ended, tubular article having a wall thickness of between about 0.005 and 0.25 mm, is disclosed, the method comprising: (i) providing a tubular mold (5) having a longitudinal axis, a terminal end, and an opposite open end, said open end having a rim (4); (ii) heating a thermoplastic elastomer to a sufficient temperature to substantially eliminate the crystalline regions, whereby the viscosity and elasticity of said thermoplastic elastomer are substantially reduced, and shaping said thermoplastic elastomer to form a preform having two substantially coplanar opposing faces; (iii) cooling said thermoplastic elastomer whereby the viscosity and elasticity are recovered within a range that the preform can be drawn; and (iv) placing a face of said preform of thermoplastic elastomer on said rim. <IMAGE>