Typically, a TPE is a segmented block copolymer, either an A-B-A
triblock or an (A-B)n multi-block copolymer, wherein one segment
(e.g. A) is hard (crystalline or glassy amorphous domain) and the
other segment (B) is soft (rubbery amorphous domain) [1]. Hard
and soft domains of multi-block TPEs have been prepared from a
variety of polymer precursors [2e4]. Of particular interest are
polyamide-based TPEs, which were introduced in the 1980s by
Dow Chemical Co. and Arkema (formerly Atochem) as an
improvement to the performance range of TPEs. Each company