LCY Chemical Globalprene® SBS 3537
- Product Name: LCY Chemical Globalprene® SBS 3537
- Factroy Site: Yudu County, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
- Price Inquiry: sales8@ascent-chem.com
- Manufacturer: Ascent Petrochem Holdings Co., Limited
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- LCY Chemical Globalprene® SBS 3537 is typically used in formulations when styrene content and melt flow index and processing temperature and shear rate must be controlled within specific ranges.
| HS Code | 682866 |
| Chemistry | Styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (linear SBS) |
| Styrene Content | 35 wt% |
| Butadiene Content | 65 wt% |
| Density | 0.94 g/cm³ |
| Melt Flow Rate | 3–5 g/10 min (200°C/5 kg) |
| Hardness | Shore A 85 |
| Tensile Strength | 20–25 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 700% |
| 300 Modulus | 4 MPa |
| Tear Strength | 35–40 kN/m |
| Volatile Matter | ≤0.5 wt% |
| Ash Content | ≤0.2 wt% |
| Solution Viscosity | 1500–2000 mPa·s (25% toluene) |
| Appearance | White pellets |
As an accredited LCY Chemical Globalprene® SBS 3537 factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | LCY Chemical Globalprene® SBS 3537 is packaged in 25 kg bags, with 40 bags per pallet (1,000 kg net). |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | Container Loading (20′ FCL): LCY Chemical Globalprene® SBS 3537, 25 kg bags on pallets, dry, clean container, evenly stowed and secured. |
| Shipping | LCY Chemical Globalprene® SBS 3537 is a non-hazardous thermoplastic elastomer supplied as pellets, typically in 25 kg bags or bulk. Ship in dry, ventilated containers; protect from moisture, direct sunlight, and excessive heat. No UN number or dangerous-goods classification is normally required. |
| Storage | Store LCY Chemical Globalprene® SBS 3537 in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse, protected from direct sunlight, heat, ignition sources, moisture, UV radiation, and ozone. Keep in original sealed packaging on pallets, avoid heavy stacking or damage, maintain moderate temperature, inspect regularly, and follow first-in/first-out stock rotation. |
| Shelf Life | Typically 12 months from production when stored cool, dry, and ventilated in unopened original packaging, away from sunlight. |
In hot-mix asphalt and polymer-modified bituminous paving applications, LCY Chemical Globalprene® SBS 3537 is incorporated at 3.0–7.0 wt% of the final binder for dense-graded and stone mastic asphalt mixes, while waterproofing and stress-absorbing membrane binders are compounded at 10.0–14.0 wt%. The digestion sequence uses a high-shear rotor-stator mill with tip speeds held between 15 m/s and 25 m/s; the bitumen is preheated to 180–190 °C before SBS 3537 is fed at a controlled rate to avoid particle agglomeration. A total dwell time of 60–120 min is common, with the first 30–45 min under maximum shear and the remaining residence under low-shear horizontal agitation to complete swelling. The processing window is constrained by the butadiene midblock: sustained stock temperatures above 200 °C promote oxidative chain scission and gel formation, so nitrogen blanketing and 0.1–0.3 phr of hindered phenolic antioxidant are standard. After digestion, ring-and-ball softening point per ASTM D36 typically rises from a base of 45–50 °C to 85–110 °C, needle penetration per ASTM D5 falls from approximately 100 dmm to 40–70 dmm at 25 °C, and elastic recovery per EN 13398 is normally specified above 75% at 25 °C. For performance-graded binders used in North America, the SBS network must also satisfy AASHTO M320 dynamic shear rheometer criteria after rolling thin-film oven ageing and pressure ageing vessel conditioning; failure to disperse the SBS 3537 into the 0.1–1.0 µm phase domain range leads to lower ductility and premature fatigue cracking. Terminal products include polymer-modified bitumen for porous asphalt, stone mastic asphalt, crack sealants, and stress-absorbing membrane interlayers.
What Changes When SBS 3537 Is Compounded into Hot-Melt Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives?
Pre-mastication of SBS 3537 in a sigma-blade or planetary mixer at 150–170 °C under inert gas is the first unit operation in hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive production. A representative starting formulation comprises 100 phr SBS 3537, 90–130 phr of a hydrogenated C9 aromatic tackifier with softening point 95–110 °C, 20–45 phr of naphthenic or white mineral oil, and 1.0 phr of phenolic or phosphite antioxidant. The mix is held for 30–60 min until a clear, homogeneous melt is obtained; the molten viscosity at 180 °C commonly falls between 20,000 mPa·s and 60,000 mPa·s, but the exact curve must be measured by ASTM D3236 because tackifier and oil quality shift the plateau. Slot-die coating at 140–160 °C with coat weights of 15–25 g/m² onto biaxially oriented polypropylene or polyester film forms the adhesive layer; higher coat weights above 35 g/m² require elevated die temperature and may narrow the bubble-free window. Loop tack per ASTM D6195 is typically reported between 8 N/25 mm and 18 N/25 mm on stainless steel, 180° peel per ASTM D3330 between 6 N/25 mm and 15 N/25 mm, and static shear per ASTM D3654 at 1 kg loads frequently exceeds 24 h when diblock content is controlled at the lower end of the lot certificate. The compatibility of SBS 3537 with low-polarity tackifiers is strong, but high-diblock lots and formulations above 45 phr process oil can exhibit creep and adhesive transfer at temperatures above 60 °C. Finished products include carton sealing tape, label stock, high-tack surface protection film, and diaper fastening tape; indirect-food-contact status must be verified against FDA 21 CFR 175.125 and, where sold into the EU, against REACH and applicable food-contact legislation for plastics and articles.
| Sector | SBS 3537 loading | Thermal window | Primary test standards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road PMB binder | 3.0–7.0 wt% | 180–190 °C | ASTM D36, ASTM D5, EN 13398 |
| Hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive | 100 phr base | 150–170 °C mixing | ASTM D3236, ASTM D3330, ASTM D3654 |
| Solventborne contact adhesive | 18–24 wt% solids | 20–30 °C dissolution | ASTM D816 |
| Footwear sole compound | 100 phr base | 150–160 °C mixing | ISO 868, ISO 4649, ASTM D1052 |
| Impact-modified polypropylene | 10–20 wt% | 220–230 °C die | ASTM D256, ASTM D638 |
| Self-adhered waterproofing membrane | 10–14 wt% | 180–185 °C compounding | EN 1109, EN 1110, ASTM D1970 |
Because solventborne contact adhesives demand high initial grab and long open time under ambient flash-off, SBS 3537 is solubilised in a toluene/hexane/acetone mixture at 18–24 wt% solids, with 25–40 phr of rosin ester or C9 hydrocarbon tackifier, 5–10 phr of process oil, and 0.5–1.0 phr of antioxidant. Dissolution is performed in an explosion-proof vertical turbine mixer at 20–30 °C; the initial low-shear hold of 4–6 h allows the styrene domains to soften, after which a high-speed disperser at 1,000–1,500 rpm completes the mix without generating enough shear heat to cross the 40 °C solvent flash threshold. Brookfield viscosity at 25 °C is adjusted to 1,500–4,000 mPa·s using spindle 4 at 12 rpm; higher solids above 25 wt% reduces drying time but can cause brush drag and web thinning. The adhesive is applied to both sides, flashed for 10–25 min until the coating is tack-free, then laminated under 0.3–0.7 MPa nip pressure; final peel is measured by ASTM D816 or in-house overlap-shear methods after 24 h conditioning at 23 °C and 50% RH. Operational boundaries include moisture ingress, which creates hazy gels at the tank bottom, and long contact with highly plasticised PVC, where plasticiser migration reduces peel after 30 days; substrates must therefore be tested after accelerated ageing at 60 °C for 7 days. VOC content is governed by national industrial-emissions legislation and must be calculated from the solvent blend mass balance; formulations with acetone below 20 wt% typically show slower flash-off. Terminal uses are furniture lamination, automotive interior trim attachment, insulation panel facing, and construction panel bonding.
When SBS 3537 Replaces Vulcanised Rubber in Footwear Sole Compounds, Phase Segregation Controls Flex and Abrasion
The product is first fluxed on a two-roll mill at 150–160 °C for 3–5 min; if an internal mixer with intermeshing rotors is used, the drop temperature is set at 160 °C and the cycle is held to 5–8 min. A standard midsole/outsole starting compound contains 100 phr SBS 3537, 20–35 phr general-purpose polystyrene, 20–40 phr paraffinic process oil, 10–25 phr calcium carbonate, 0.5 phr antioxidant, and 0.3 phr benzotriazole UV stabiliser. The polystyrene phase raises Shore durometer and tensile modulus but narrows the flex-fatigue window below −10 °C; oil addition above 40 phr produces surface tack and delamination in injection-moulded unit soles. Injection moulding is carried out at barrel temperatures of 170–190 °C, mould temperature 30–50 °C, and hold pressure adequate to pack the cavity without sink marks; cycle times of 45–90 s are typical depending on sole thickness. Hardness is measured by ISO 868 or ASTM D2240 and is typically specified between 40 Shore A and 65 Shore A for midsoles, while DIN abrasion per ISO 4649 is targeted below 250 mm³, and Ross flex per ASTM D1052 is run to 300,000 cycles without cut growth greater than 5 mm. Because published data for this exact LCY grade in footwear formulations are limited, these ranges are pilot-scale starting points rather than supplier-certified values. Compliance is evaluated against REACH, RoHS 2011/65/EU, and California Proposition 65 for phthalates and heavy metals; the use of paraffinic oil with low polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content is mandatory for EU footwear imports. Terminal articles are unit soles, multi-density midsoles, sandal straps, and heel inserts.
Impact-Modified Polypropylene Let-Down, Domain Size and the Notched Brittle Transition
Addition of SBS 3537 to impact-modified polypropylene at 10–20 wt% is performed on a co-rotating twin-screw extruder with an L/D ratio of 40–44 and segmented screw elements; the polypropylene is starve-fed into the first barrel, while SBS 3537 is metered downstream through a side feeder after the polymer melt seal, avoiding excessive residence time for the butadiene midblock. Barrel temperatures are profiled from 180 °C at the feed throat to 220–230 °C at the die, screw speed is set between 250 rpm and 400 rpm, and die melt temperature is kept below 235 °C. The resulting dispersed SBS domain size should fall between 0.3 µm and 1.0 µm for maximum impact toughening; smaller domains below 0.2 µm reduce crack-bridging efficiency, while domains above 2.0 µm create delamination and surface haze. Notched Izod impact per ASTM D256 at 23 °C shows the classical transition from 20–30 J/m for unfilled PP to 200–500 J/m when SBS 3537 loading is optimized, but low-temperature impact at −20 °C can remain below 100 J/m because the styrene domains retain their glass transition. Tensile yield strength per ASTM D638 decreases as SBS content increases, typically by 10–30% at 20 wt% loading; this trade-off is managed through grade selection and by adding 2–5 wt% of a polyolefin elastomer only where co-continuous morphology is desired. Pre-drying at 70 °C for 2 h is required if the SBS 3537 has been stored at relative humidity above 60%, as surface moisture creates splay and gels. Terminal applications include appliance housings, luggage shells, battery cases, and automotive interior trim components where low-temperature ductility and scratch resistance are specified.
Calendered Self-Adhered Membrane Formulations Require Controlled Interlayer Anchorage
Calendering of SBS 3537-modified bituminous membranes is performed on a two-roll or three-roll calender with stock temperatures between 140 °C and 160 °C; the compound is prepared in a paddle mixer or high-shear blender at 180–185 °C using 10–14 wt% SBS 3537, 20–35 wt% limestone filler, and 0.2–0.5 wt% stabiliser, with the balance being penetration-grade or oxidised bitumen. The calendering nip is set to deliver a finished thickness of 3–5 mm onto needle-punched polyester nonwoven of 150–250 g/m² or fibreglass mat; mechanical interlock is achieved when the bituminous compound penetrates into the nonwoven structure without striking through to the bottom face, and this is controlled by maintaining a compound viscosity of 8,000–20,000 mPa·s at 150 °C. Quality tests include low-temperature flexibility per EN 1109 at −10 °C to −20 °C depending on grade, flow resistance per EN 1110 at 80 °C, dimensional stability per EN 1107-1, and peel adhesion per ASTM D1970 for self-adhered underlayments. A critical failure mode on production lines is edge tear at the calender release point when stock temperature drops below 140 °C and the SBS phase retracts; this is minimised by heated calender rolls with an oil temperature setpoint of 155 °C and by maintaining a compound bank diameter not exceeding 50 mm. Published data for LCY Globalprene® SBS 3537 in this exact membrane configuration are limited; the above parameter set is a typical industrial starting point. Compliance is verified against EN 13707 for roof waterproofing membranes, ASTM D6164 Type I/II material requirements, and local fire-performance codes when the membrane is installed on buildings.
| Application | Regulatory or test standard | Specified parameter |
|---|---|---|
| Polymer-modified road binder | AASHTO M320, EN 14023 | Performance grade, elastic recovery, storage stability |
| Hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive | FDA 21 CFR 175.125, REACH | Indirect food contact status, SVHC content |
| Solventborne contact adhesive | National VOC legislation, ASTM D816 | Solvent mass balance, peel and shear strength |
| Footwear compound | REACH, RoHS 2011/65/EU | Phthalates, heavy metals, PAH content |
| Impact-modified polypropylene | ASTM D256, ASTM D638 | Notched Izod impact, tensile yield strength |
| Self-adhered membrane | EN 13707, ASTM D6164, ASTM D1970 | Low-temperature flexibility, flow resistance, peel adhesion |
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- LCY Chemical Globalprene® SBS 3537 is manufactured under an ISO 9001 quality system and complies with relevant regulatory requirements.
- COA, SDS/MSDS, and related certificates are available upon request. For certificate requests or inquiries, contact: sales8@ascent-chem.com.
LCY Chemical Globalprene® SBS 3537 is a linear styrene-butadiene-styrene thermoplastic elastomer produced by living anionic polymerization. The nominal bound styrene content is 35% by weight, and the nominal melt flow rate is 7 g/10 min at 190 °C under 5 kg load when tested in accordance with ASTM D1238. The butadiene mid-block contains 1,4-trans, 1,4-cis, and 1,2-vinyl configurations; the 1,2-vinyl level is controlled to adjust segmental mobility, solvent interaction, and low-temperature flexibility. Because the grade is supplied without extender oil, formulators can select process-oil type, aromaticity, and addition level independently. The product is specified for hot-melt adhesives, solvent-borne adhesives, asphalt modification, footwear compounds, and polymer modification where a balance of toughness, low-temperature flexibility, and processability is required. Lot-specific certificates of analysis from LCY Chemical remain the controlling specification; representative data are provided only for initial screening.
Molecular-weight characterization by gel permeation chromatography against polystyrene standards indicates a broad molecular-weight distribution typical of coupled linear block copolymers. Coupling efficiency and residual diblock content are controlled because uncoupled diblock raises tack but reduces tensile strength and cohesive strength at elevated temperature. For SBS 3537, solution viscosity in toluene at 25% solids is a practical incoming QC proxy for molecular weight and correlates with hot-melt adhesive application viscosity and asphalt mixing torque. The polystyrene block glass transition is near 100 °C, and the polybutadiene phase glass transition is below -80 °C depending on vinyl content. These transitions define the service window and explain the reduction in load-bearing capacity above 70 °C.
What Limits Melt Processing Stability and Shear Heating in SBS 3537?
Melt processing of SBS 3537 is constrained by thermal oxidation of the unsaturated butadiene mid-block rather than by the polystyrene end-block. On a 40:1 L/D corotating twin-screw extruder with kneading blocks, zone set points of 170–200 °C are used to keep melt temperature below 210 °C. Degradation accelerates when melt temperature exceeds 230 °C, producing gel flecks, viscosity drift, surface haze, and reduced elongation at break. In production-scale compounding, screw speeds of 250–400 rpm are common; above this range viscous dissipation may raise melt temperature beyond set point even with reduced barrel heating. Capillary rheometry at apparent shear rates of 100–1,000 s⁻¹ should supplement the ASTM D1238 melt flow rate because SBS 3537 is strongly shear-thinning.
Injection molding uses melt temperatures below 200 °C, mold temperatures of 20–40 °C, and back pressure below 0.5 MPa. General-purpose screws with 20:1 L/D are acceptable, but compression ratios above 3:1 may generate excessive shear. Thin-wall parts below 2 mm require higher melt temperature, which narrows the thermal safety margin. Pre-drying at 60–70 °C for 2 h is recommended when storage relative humidity exceeds 60%; residual moisture above 0.05% causes surface splay and microvoids. During extended shutdowns, the polymer should be purged from the barrel with a styrenic or olefinic purge compound to avoid stagnant crosslinked material on restart. Avoid amine-based additives that can cause discoloration under ultraviolet exposure.
In solvent-borne adhesives, SBS 3537 is dissolved at 20–30 wt% solids in toluene, cyclohexane, methyl ethyl ketone, or aromatic/aliphatic solvent blends. Solubility parameters govern solvent selection: aromatic solvents solvate both phases, while aliphatic solvents swell the mid-block but may leave polystyrene domains partially associated, raising solution viscosity and accelerating gel formation in low-shear mixing. For a 25% solids solution in toluene, Brookfield RVT viscosity with a No. 4 spindle at 20 rpm typically falls between 2,000–5,000 mPa·s; the exact value depends on molecular weight, residual diblock content, and dissolution temperature. Heated mixing at 40–50 °C shortens dissolution time and reduces gel specks. In pressure-sensitive adhesives, C5 and C9 hydrocarbon tackifiers and rosin esters are compatible at 50–100 phr; aromatic-modified resins increase loop tack but lower shear adhesion failure temperature measured under ASTM D3654. Production-scale batch-to-batch variation should be monitored by solution viscosity and color against an established reference lot.
For hot-melt adhesives, SBS 3537 is compounded with tackifiers, plasticizers, and antioxidants in a sigma-blade mixer or twin-screw extruder at 160–180 °C. The higher melt flow rate relative to lower-styrene SBS reduces mixer torque and improves wet-out on corrugated board. The same lower melt viscosity at application temperature may require 1–3 phr of wax to control penetration into absorbent substrates. Open time and set time should be measured with ASTM D6195 or an internal probe-tack method. Nitrogen blanketing of adhesive reservoirs at 160 °C reduces skin formation and char. Published data for low-temperature fiber-tear performance on recycled board with this specific grade is limited.
Tensile Property Envelope and Hysteresis Response Under ASTM D638
When compression-molded into 2 mm plaques and conditioned at 23 °C and 50% relative humidity for 40 h per ASTM D618, representative tensile properties of SBS 3537 fall within the following ranges. These values are not lot-specific guarantees and may shift with pigment, filler, oil, or processing history.
| Property | Test Method | Unit | Representative Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bound styrene | LCY internal method | wt% | 35 |
| Melt flow rate | ASTM D1238 / ISO 1133-1:2022 | g/10 min | 7 |
| Specific gravity | ASTM D792 / ISO 1183-1:2019 | — | 0.94 |
| Tensile strength | ASTM D638 Type IV / ISO 37 | MPa | 18 |
| Elongation at break | ASTM D638 Type IV / ISO 37 | % | 700 |
| Hardness Shore A | ASTM D2240 / ISO 868 | — | 75 |
| Solution viscosity, 25% in toluene | ASTM D2196 / ISO 2555 | mPa·s | 3,500 |
Mechanical response is strongly rate-dependent. Under uniaxial tension at 500 mm/min with ASTM D638 Type IV specimens, the stress-strain curve exhibits a yield-like inflection as polystyrene domains orient and then dissipate energy through cavitation and fibrillation. At low elongation rates the material shows more viscous flow; at high rates the response stiffens. Cyclic conditioning at 100% elongation stabilizes after 3–5 cycles, reducing peak stress by 10–20% due to stress softening. The material is not recommended for continuous load-bearing service above 70 °C because polystyrene domain softening near 100 °C causes creep and loss of recovery force. For component-level dynamic fatigue, published data for this specific grade is limited and prototype testing is required.
When SBS 3537 Replaces Lower-Styrene Grades in Asphalt Modification
In polymer-modified bitumen, SBS 3537 is dosed at 3–6 wt% based on neat bitumen and dispersed with a high-shear rotor-stator mill at 3,000–5,000 rpm and 170–185 °C for 45–90 min. Phase inversion is commonly observed above 4 wt% polymer for a 70/100 pen base bitumen. The 35% styrene content increases softening point and elastic recovery relative to lower-styrene linear grades such as SBS 3501, but low-temperature flexibility may decline if dosage is excessive or the base bitumen is poorly compatible. Rutting resistance is verified by AASHTO T 350 multiple stress creep recovery; storage stability is checked by EN 13399 after 72 h at 163 °C.
The higher melt flow rate of SBS 3537 lowers high-shear mixing torque and may reduce digestion time compared with lower-melt-flow linear SBS grades. However, lower melt viscosity in the bitumen phase may reduce shear refinement. Plant operators should monitor mill motor amperage and use fluorescence microscopy to confirm that residual polymer particles do not exceed 10 µm after milling. Low-temperature performance is evaluated by bending beam rheometer at -12 °C and -18 °C per AASHTO T 313; an m-value below 0.300 at the required low-temperature grade indicates excessive polymer content or poor base bitumen compatibility. Compared with SBS 3540, SBS 3537 has lower bound styrene, lower hardness, and better tack. Compared with oil-extended SBS grades, SBS 3537 contains no extender oil, providing formulation latitude. Compared with hydrogenated SEBS, the unsaturated mid-block improves bitumen compatibility but reduces ultraviolet and thermal oxidative resistance.
Production-scale footwear mixing lines employ SBS 3537 at 10–30 phr in blends with polystyrene, high-impact polystyrene, or ethylene-vinyl acetate. Banbury mixing is run with drop temperatures below 160 °C to limit butadiene oxidation; twin-screw compounding with oil injection is an alternative. The polymer contributes to flex-crack resistance and skid resistance, but thick soles may show sink marks if packing pressure is below 50 MPa. Unfilled mold shrinkage is typically 1.0–1.5%, increasing with styrene content and decreasing with filler addition. Outsole compounds are tested for abrasion by DIN 53516 and flex resistance by ISO 4643 or a Ross flex protocol. Because the unsaturated mid-block is susceptible to ozone attack, outdoor storage of finished articles requires antiozonant waxes or protective packaging.
SBS 3537 can be crosslinked by peroxide or electron beam, but the unsaturated mid-block is more reactive than hydrogenated SEBS. Peroxide addition at 0.1–0.5 phr increases gel content and reduces elongation at break; this route is used when compression set measured under ASTM D395 Method B must be improved. Residual peroxide can contribute odor and discoloration, and excess peroxide may embrittle the compound. Electron-beam irradiation above 50 kGy without a radiation stabilizer may cause chain scission of polybutadiene units. Published data for this specific configuration is limited; dose mapping and post-irradiation mechanical testing are required.
Regulatory Status, Storage Stability and Incompatibility Boundaries
Under the European REACH regulation, SBS 3537 as a polymer is exempt from registration, but imported compounds may require substance-level verification for residual monomers and additives. The neat polymer is not intentionally formulated with lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB, or PBDE above the maximum concentration values in RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU, as verified by IEC 62321 digestion. Food-contact compliance under FDA 21 CFR 177.1810 or EU 10/2011 is not automatic; published data for this specific configuration is limited, and users must obtain lot-specific certificates. The product is not intended for medical implant applications or prolonged direct blood contact.
| Compliance Area | Standard or Regulation | Screening Status |
|---|---|---|
| Melt flow rate | ASTM D1238 / ISO 1133-1:2022 | Lot-specific |
| Tensile property testing | ASTM D638 / ISO 37 | Representative values |
| RoHS restricted substances | IEC 62321 | Not intentionally added |
| Food contact | FDA 21 CFR 177.1810 / EU 10/2011 | Verify with supplier |
Storage above 30 °C or under direct ultraviolet light accelerates oxidative degradation of the butadiene mid-block. The antioxidant package is designed for 24 months of closed warehouse storage in original packaging. Ozone sources, strong oxidizing agents, chlorine, and bromine are incompatible. Opened bags should be reclosed and dried at 60 °C for 2 h before processing if relative humidity has exceeded 60%. Prolonged contact with aromatic solvents in open vessels should be avoided because retained solvent plasticizes polystyrene domains and reduces cohesive strength in the final article.
