109343 Footwear Factsheet WEB 19/10/00 4:50 pm Page 1

Starting Formulations
FACT SHEET
K0002 for KRATON™ D
Global
Footwear Compounds
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KRATON™ D Footwear Compounds

Introduction
The versatility and broad grade range of KRATON™ Polymers has resulted in the development of a wide
variety of Kraton D based compounds for various footwear styles.
KRATON D Polymers are unique materials since they combine elastomeric properties with thermoplastic
behaviour and can be compounded and subsequently processed with standard processing equipment.
This behaviour is explained by the specific structure and morphology of the material. The polystyrene end-
blocks of the polymers enable thermoplastic processing behaviour above melt temperature. The end-
blocks entangle at room temperature and form domains, thereby linking several polymer chains which
results in strongly linked elastomeric domains as can also be found in vulcanised rubber.
The first Kraton D compounds contained Polystyrene (PS) oil, filler and antioxidant in addition to the
polymer. This typical formulation is still used, but due to ever increasing physical requirements and
changing fashion other ingredients are now commonly added.

Casual and Formal Footwear

In the past, formal footwear was the major segment of all footwear styles as it was regarded as the only
type of footwear suitable for use in the office. This has now changed and while formal footwear is still a
classic for the office, stylish casual footwear is now accepted. Formal footwear includes business shoes
for men and women, court shoes for women and leisure shoes to be worn for more casual occasions.
Casual footwear has become the largest segment and includes footwear for leisure activities, less formal
shoe styles and specific niches of sports footwear such as ‘brown’ sport shoes and fashion ‘work’ boots.
A range of soling materials is used in casual and formal styles, each having their own limitations. The use
of leather, popular for formal thin-soled shoes, tends to be restricted as a result of limited availability and
high price. A high quality vulcanised rubber formulation can be used for more demanding applications
whilst medium quality rubber and PVC are used in low demanding applications in the casual and formal
leisure area.
The advantage of Kraton D Polymers for these applications is the wide hardness range that can be
produced by varying compound composition. Lower hardness compounds are used for the more casual
designs, and the high hardness compounds for court shoes.

Formulations for Casual and Formal Styles

Formulations for injection moulded unit soles should have medium to good wear resistance and a
hardness between 55 and 75 Shore A. Suitable grades are Kraton D–4274, D–4272 and D–4270
Polymers, typically with approximately 10 phr of TPS and 25 to 35 phr of oil. Sometimes 5 to 10 phr
of EVA is added to slightly increase the UV-, ozone- and solvent-resistance of the sole. Small quantities of
1,2-Syndiotactic Polybutadiene can be added to improve flow, larger quantities are needed to achieve
a dull rubber look. Small quantities of high flow hydrocarbon resin improve compound flow thereby
eliminating flow lines. Calcium carbonate not only improves compounding economics, but also the
surface appearance of the finished product.

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KRATON™ D Footwear Compounds

Ingredients* Style

Formal Formal Casual Formal

business business/leisure everyday leisure

KRATON D–4270 Polymer 20 – 20 20

KRATON D–4272 Polymer –- – – 80

KRATON D–4274 Polymer 80 100 80 –

TPS (MFR 200°C/

5 kg = 4-6 g/10 min) – – – 10

TPS (MFR 200°C/

5 kg = 12-15g/10 min) 5 15 10 –

Hydrocarbon resin – 5 – 7.5

Oil 20 20 25 25

1,2-Syndiotactic
Polybutadiene 5 – 5 –

CaCO3 10 – 10 15

MFR (190°C/2.16 kg)

g/10 min – – – 8

MFR (190°C/5 kg)

g/10 min 50 65 65 –

Hardness shore A, 30 s 59 76 55 60

DIN abrasion mm3 225 185 230 250

*All formulations require the addition of a relevant stabiliser package KRATON™ Polymers

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KRATON™ D Footwear Compounds

Formulations for Thin Hard Soles for Formal Styles

Formulations for injection moulded thin hard soles for formal styles should have a hardness of at least 85
Shore A and a DIN abrasion resistance of below 300 mm3. These compounds are based on the hard
and high flow Kraton D–4274 Polymer and typically contain around 30 phr of TPS, 20 phr of oil, 10
phr of EVA and 50 phr of CaCO3. EVA is required to improve the compound solvent resistance for
lacquering. Compound flow can be increased by replacing some Kraton D–4274 Polymer with Kraton
D–4270 Polymer, leaving some CaCO3 out and by replacing some TPS with a high flow resin.

Ingredients* Style

Formal all sub-styles Formal all sub-styles Formal all sub-styles

KRATON D–4270 Polymer 30 20 –

KRATON D–4274 Polymer 70 80 100

TPS (MFR 200°C/

5 kg = 15-20 g/10 min) 45 45 30

EVA (20% VA content) 10 10 10

Oil 10 10 20

CaCO3 25 50 50

MFR (190°C/5 kg) g/10 min 12 12 20

Hardness Shore A, 30 s 82 86 80

DIN abrasion mm3 235 310 285

*All formulations require the addition of a relevant stabiliser package KRATON™ Polymers

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KRATON™ D Footwear Compounds

Formulations for Crêpe Soles in Casual Styles

Some casual footwear is designed along similar lines to sports footwear. This style includes some brown
sport shoes designed for urban wear.
In this type of footwear, crêpe-look soles are popular as they give the shoes a natural, back to basics
look. Specific Kraton D Polymer based compounds give an excellent imitation of natural crêpe with the
added benefit of easy processability through injection moulding and enhanced physical performance.
If a high degree of transparency is required, Kraton D–4271 Polymer is recommended, blended with
some Polystyrene (PS) and oil and around 5 phr silica and 0.1 phr of an azodicarbonamide blowing
agent. The silica and blowing agent provide the attractive dull/splashed product appearance of crêpe.
By adding low molecular weight hydrocarbon resin or additional PS, the amount of oil can also be
increased, thereby decreasing both price and wear resistance.
If transparency is not the main requirement, there is more flexibility in compound design and Kraton
D–4271 Polymer in combination with 5 to 10 phr of silica and 0.1 phr of blowing agent can be used
as the starting point. Toughened Polystyrene (TPS) can then be added as hardener, providing better DIN
abrasion resistance than PS and enabling the addition of more oil without significant deterioration of other
physical properties. Since all crêpe compounds are light coloured, EVA is added to improve compound
UV resistance.

Ingredients* Style

Casual country & everyday Casual country & everyday

KRATON D–4271 Polymer 100 100

TPS (MFR 200°C/

5 kg = 4-6 g/10 min) 27.5 20

EVA (20% VA content) 7.5 7.5

Oil 25 25

CaCO3 10 10

Silica 7 7

Blowing agent 0.1 0.1

MFR (190°C/5 kg)

g/10 min 19 18

Hardness shore A, 30 s 65 60

DIN abrasion mm3 325 320

*All formulations require the addition of a relevant stabiliser package KRATON™ Polymers

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KRATON™ D Footwear Compounds

Formulations for Casual Sports Styles

There is a large casual sport shoe area where the wear performance required is ideal for KRATON
Polymers e.g. jogging and training shoes. KRATON D based compounds are good soling materials for
such outdoor sports applications.
Many sport shoes are dual- or multi-coloured. This trend offers the possibility to use a high quality
compound for the wear surface and a lower density, lower wear compound for non-wear surfaces.
Compounds for the wear surfaces therefore often contain a clear grade such as Kraton D–1101 or
D–1186 Polymers.

Ingredients* Style

Casual sports Casual sports Casual sports

KRATON D–4271 Polymer – 100 –

KRATON D–4272 Polymer 70 – –

KRATON D–4274 Polymer – – 70

KRATON D–1101 Polymer 30 – 30

TPS (MFR 200°C/

5 kg = 4-6 g/10 min) – 30 –

TPS (MFR 200°C/

5 kg = 12-15 g/10 min) 25 – 20

Oil 30 20 25

Silica 5 5 5

Blowing agent 0.1 0.1 0.1

MFR (190°C/5 kg) g/10 min 19 25 17

Hardness shore A, 30 s 60 60 63

DIN abrasion mm3 170 155 160

*All formulations require the addition of a relevant stabiliser package KRATON™ Polymers

Boots
The boots segment covers a wide range of applications which were originally all designed for everyday
use in factories, farms, chemical plants, etc. Boots worn for leisure used to be slightly modified working
boots, generally made to a higher standard. This has changed significantly and a wide range of styles
are now available.
We can distinguish three major groups:
1. Waterproof boots with both sole and upper based on a similar synthetic material.
2. Work and hiking boots which are predominantly functional and may have a secondary use as
fashion items.
3. Fashion boots which are designed to the latest fashion with very little emphasis on functionality, and
therefore similar soles as for casual footwear are used.

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KRATON™ D Footwear Compounds

Formulations for Waterproof Boots

Vulcanised rubber boots are expensive to manufacture and cannot be made in bright colours. Low cost
applications such as children’s rainboots are often made in brightly coloured PVC. However, PVC boots
are uncomfortable in cold weather and have poor wet grip. Boots made from KRATON D Polymer based
compounds combine the good low temperature properties such as slip resistance and comfort that can
be found in vulcanised rubber with the ease of processing and colouring capabilities of PVC.
Formulations for soling of waterproof boots generally have a hardness Shore A of 60-65 and are similar
to formulations for casual footwear or hiking boots.
Formulations for rainboot shafts need to be soft and have high flow. KRATON D–4123 Polymer is the
most suitable material for this application. High flow PS or TPS is added together with low flow, high
Vinyl Acetate (VA) content EVA, oil and low molecular weight hydrocarbon resin for flow improvement,
CaCO3 for a matt surface appearance and some erucamide for easy mould release.
High flow Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) can be used as hardener to further improve flow and
chemical resistance, but at the expense of rubberiness.

Ingredients* Style

Boot shaft Boot shaft Boot shaft

KRATON D–4123 Polymer 100 100 70

KRATON D–1101 Polymer – – 30

PS (MFR 200°C/
5 kg = 12-15 g/10 min) 20 25 –

EVA 30 30 –

LLDPE – – 35

Styrenic resin 10 10 –

Oil 30 30 35

CaCO3 5 – 5

Erucamide 0.2 – 0.2

MFR (190°C/2.16 kg)

g/10 min 16 23 49

Hardness shore A, 30 s 47 49 60

DIN abrasion mm3 300 300 400

*All formulations require the addition of a relevant stabiliser package KRATON™ Polymers

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KRATON™ D Footwear Compounds

Formulations for Hiking Boots

Formulations for hiking boots are high performance variants of solid soling formulations for casual styles
where KRATON D–4271 or D–4274 Polymer is used in combination with KRATON D–1101 or
D–1186 Polymer. To maintain high wear resistance, the oil extension level should not exceed 20 phr.
The DIN abrasion value should be around 150mm3. A small quantity of filler can be added to improve
surface appearance. Often, highly durable pieces are inserted at places where there is heavier wear.

Ingredients* Style

Hiking boot Hiking boot Hiking boot Urban hiking boot

KRATON D–4271 Polymer 100 70 – 60

KRATON D–4274 Polymer – – 70 40

KRATON D–1101 Polymer – 30 30 –

TPS (MFR 200°C/

5 kg = 4-6 g/10 min) 25 30 – –

TPS (MFR 200°C/

5 kg = 15-20 g/10 min) – – 20 30

Oil 10 10 18 20

MFR (190°C/5 kg) g/10 min 11 13 15 36

Hardness shore A, 30 s 70 77 67 65

DIN abrasion mm3 125 110 155 185

*All formulations require the addition of a relevant stabiliser package KRATON™ Polymers

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KRATON™ D Footwear Compounds

Sports Footwear
Sports footwear is the most diversified segment, serving the market for over 40 different activities.
Based on the type of soling, three key groups can be defined:
1. One piece footwear where no upper is involved in the construction and the whole piece is made of
one material. Examples are down-hill skiing, snowboarding, sailing & windsurfing, ice skating boots,
and in-line boots.
2. Plated footwear which has hard and tough studded soles and where several materials are
co-injected to form a structure of varying hardness and torsional rigidity. Examples are soccer and
hockey boots, golf and track shoes and cycling shoes.
3. Running and aerobic footwear which covers a variety of indoor and outdoor shoes and boots.
Examples are cross-country training, aerobic, jogging, tennis, etc.

Ingredients* Style

Cross country Wind surfing Running & Running &

ski boots boots aerobic aerobic

KRATON D–4123 Polymer 10 100 – –

KRATON D–4271 Polymer 60 – – –

KRATON D–4272 Polymer – – 70 70

KRATON D–1101 Polymer 30 – – –

KRATON D–1186 Polymer – – 30 30

PS (MFR 200°C/
5 kg = 15-20 g/10 min) 30 20 – 10

TPS (MFR 200°C/

5 kg = 8 g/10 min) – – 10 –

EVA – 20 – –

EPDM – 10 – –

Oil – 30 40 40

Erucamide – 0.2 – –

MFR (190°C/2.16 kg)

g/10 min 1 14 8 11

Hardness Shore A, 30 s 91 48 58 58

DIN abrasion mm3 100 300 160 160

*All formulations require the addition of a relevant stabiliser package KRATON™ Polymers

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KRATON™ D Footwear Compounds

House Footwear
House footwear is predominantly designed to be worn indoors or for light outdoor wear. House shoes
are worn in all cultures: people like to have comfortable footwear for in-house wear.
Two distinct styles can be defined in the segment: casual style, often a moccasin type design that is stylish
and can stand some outdoor use, and slippers, which are predominantly designed for comfort.
Formulations for Casual House Styles of the Sneaker type
Sneakers are casual shoe styles with canvas or light leather uppers and are in high demand for warmer
seasons and for house wear. They are often produced via direct moulding to the uppers and therefore
require high flow compounds to ensure good adhesion. KRATON D–4271 Polymer can be used or the
harder KRATON D–4272 or D–4274 Polymers in combination with PS. Levels of oil and (T)PS are
typically 45 phr, high DIN abrasion values above 300 mm3 are acceptable.

Ingredients* Style

House casual House casual House casual

KRATON D–4271 Polymer – 100 –

KRATON D–4272 Polymer – – 100

KRATON D–4274 Polymer 100 – –

PS (MFR 200°C/
5 kg = 15-20 g/10 min) 30 – 20

TPS (MFR 200°C/

5 kg = 4-6 g/10 min) – 45 10

Oil 35 35 45

CaCO3 45 25 45

MFR (190°C/
2.16 kg) g/10 min >100 9.5 15

Hardness shore A, 30 s 68 54 58

DIN abrasion mm3 315 275 330

*All formulations require the addition of a relevant stabiliser package KRATON™ Polymers

Formulations for Slippers

In this style, designed for comfort, lightweight and resilient soles are very attractive. KRATON D Polymer
compounds offer the benefit of increased slip resistance, a feature which cheaper soling materials often
used for this style do not possess.
A good mould design with balanced injection will give optimal results, and densities down to 0.5-0.6
Mg/m3 can be achieved through the addition of a blowing agent. Formulations typically are high flow
and tend to contain high amounts of TPS. In general CaCO3 is not used since this makes the soles heavy.
Small amounts of silica are sometimes added for surface appearance.

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KRATON™ D Footwear Compounds

End Use Requirements

If the finished article is intended for use in contact with food or in pharmaceutical applications, toys, and other human contact areas, the relevant
regulations should be observed. Detailed information is available from the supplier.
For food packaging, manufactures of the final product should ensure that all ingredients used comply with the regulations. It should be noted that some
of these regulations require tests to be carried out on the final product, e.g. migration. These are the responsibility of the final product manufacturer.
Restriction on Medical/Healthcare Applications
DO NOT USE KRATON™ POLYMERS PRODUCTS IN ANY DEVICES OR MATERIALS INTENDED FOR TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT
IMPLANTATION IN THE HUMAN BODY. THE KRATON POLYMERS BUSINESS ALSO RESTRICTS THE USE OF ITS PRODUCTS IN OTHER
MEDICAL/HEALTHCARE APPLICATIONS.
Please contact your KRATON Polymers Sales Representative for more details.
THE KRATON POLYMERS BUSINESS HAS NO SPECIFIC EXPERTISE IN THE MEDICAL/HEALTHCARE MARKET OR APPLICATIONS and does not
intend to perform testing, clinical studies or other investigations of the suitability of its products for specific medical/healthcare applications. KRATON
Polymers products are generally manufactured for use in a variety of commercial applications.
DO NOT USE THE TRADENAMES, TRADEMARKS, LOGOS OR OTHER SIMILAR IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE KRATON POLYMERS
BUSINESS IN THE MANUFACTURE, SALE OR PROMOTION OF MEDICAL DEVICES OR MATERIALS.
THE KRATON POLYMERS BUSINESS MAKES NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR PURPOSES (INCLUDING MEDICAL
APPLICATIONS) FOR ITS PRODUCTS.
Each customer or user of KRATON Polymers products is solely responsible for determining the suitability of the materials they select for the intended
purpose. With regards to medical/healthcare applications, each customer or user must conduct their own studies, registrations, and other related
activities to establish the safety and efficacy of their products.
Safety and Handling Precautions
Read the Material Safety Data Sheet for KRATON Polymer products carefully and thoroughly before beginning any work with this product. Additional
information relating to Health, Safety, Storage, Handling and Processing can be found in the KRATON Polymer HSE Fact Sheet (ref. K0155), available
from your local KRATON Polymers representative. It is also recommended to consult other sources of safety information, for example, the current edition
of Toxicity and Safe Handling of Rubber Chemicals - Code of Practice 4th Edition 2000, British Rubber Manufacturers Association Limited (BRMA),
London, EC2A 3JE, UK, Tel: +44 (0)20 7457 5040.
KRATON Polymers and compounds can accumulate electrostatic charges when rubbed, chafed or abraded. Equipment should provide a means of
dissipating any charges that may develop. Processing of KRATON Polymers and compounds in high shear equipment can cause the temperature to
rise. Do not allow the temperature to exceed 225-230°C (437-446°F) for KRATON D Polymers and compounds and 280-285°C (536-545°F) for
KRATON G Polymers and compounds. Maintain a fire watch if these temperatures are reached. KRATON Polymer products (the neat resin or the base
product) are high molecular weight polymers which by all accounts are non-toxic and biologically inactive.
Warranty
The information contained in this publication is, to the best of our knowledge, true and accurate, but any recommendations or suggestions which may
be made are without guarantee, since the conditions of use are beyond our control. Furthermore, nothing contained herein shall be construed as a
recommendation to use any product in conflict with existing patents covering any material or its use.
All products purchased from or supplied by the KRATON Polymers Business are subject to terms and conditions set out in the contract, order
acknowledgement and/or bill of lading. The KRATON Polymers Business warrants only that its products will meet those specifications designated as
such herein or in other publications.
All other information supplied by the KRATON Polymers Business is considered accurate but is furnished upon the express condition that the customer
shall make their own assessment to determine the products’ suitability for a particular purpose. The KRATON Polymers Business makes no other
warranty, either express or implied, including those regarding such other information, the data upon which the same is based, or the results to be
obtained from the use thereof; that any products shall be merchantable or fit for any particular purpose; or that the use of such other information
or product will not infringe any patent.

For further information: Contact us:

In the USA Marketing Communications Manager
call toll free 1-800-4-KRATON (1-800-457-2866) KRATON Polymers
In Europe/Africa Stellar House
fax +44-(0)20-7934-6340 Barbour Square
High Street
In Asia-Pacific
Tattenhall
fax +81-3-5500-3259
Chester CH3 9RF,
In South America UK
fax +55 (0)19 3874-72752
Visit us at: www.KRATON.com
or contact your local KRATON Polymers representative

K0002 FSb–00G
KRATON Polymers
W&B/109343
© KRATON™ Polymers 10/2000. All rights reserved.

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