Microwave welding of elastomer powder

22:

• A process for producing a molding from a powder based on a thermoplastic elastomer, the process comprising:
• placing the powder on or in a mold, and
• heating the powder with electromagnetic radiation, wherein a frequency of the electromagnetic radiation is between 0.01 and 100 GHz, such that the powder undergoes at least partial melting and fuses, to obtain the molding.

23:

• The process of claim 22, wherein the powder comprises:
• an elastomer that absorbs the electromagnetic radiation as a result of its chemical structure and/or
• at least one additive that absorbs the electromagnetic radiation.

24:

• The process of claim 23, wherein the elastomer is selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a thermoplastic polyester elastomer and a thermoplastic copolyamide.

25:

• The process of claim 24, wherein the thermoplastic polyester elastomer is selected from the group consisting of a polyetherester and a polyesterester and/or the thermoplastic copolyamide is selected from the group consisting of a polyetheramide and a polyesteramide.

26:

• The process of claim 22, wherein the elastomer is a thermoplastic polyurethane.

27:

• The process of claim 22, wherein an individual region of the molding is specifically heated with a maser or a targeted electromagnetic beam having a frequency between 0.01 GHz and 100 GHz.

28:

• The process of claim 27, wherein the powder is mixed with a pigment or a liquid dye prior to the heating.

29:

• The process of claim 28, wherein the pigment is inhomogeneously mixed with the powder and/or the powder is applied in at least two layers with different coloring.

30:

• The process of claim 22, wherein the molding is a hollow body produced by a rotational sintering process and the mold rotates in an electromagnetic radiation-emitting device or electromagnetic radiation is emitted inside a rotating mold by an antenna.

31:

• The process of claim 23, wherein the additive is glycerol triacetate, triethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol or citrate ester.

32:

• The process of claim 31, wherein the powder is produced by micropelletization.

33:

• The process of claim 31, wherein a maximum spatial extent of the powder is 200 μm to 1.0 mm.

34:

• The process of claim 31, wherein a total proportion of the elastomer and additive is 0.01% by weight to 30% by weight, based on a total weight of the powder.

35:

• The process of claim 31, wherein the elastomer is at least partially surrounded by a coating comprising the additive.

36:

• The process of claim 35, wherein the coating is based on a substance which has a boiling point above 120° C. and is soluble in the thermoplastic elastomer.

37:

• The process of claim 35, wherein a weight fraction of the coating is from 1% by weight to 5% by weight, based on a total weight of the powder.

38:

• The process of claim 31, wherein the powder has a poured density in a range from 200 kg/m3 to 900 kg/m3.

39:

• The process of claim 31, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a thermoplastic polyester elastomer and a thermoplastic copolyamide.

40:

• A molding, obtained by the process of claim 22.

41:

• A visible component, suitable for an automobile, an artificial leather, a bag, a packaging, a boot, a shoe, a shoe sole, a furnishing or furniture, and comprising the molding of claim 40.