TPE
Thermoplastic Elastomers are a category of pliable plastic materials that provide good insulation, are not easily deformed and can be molded into different shapes. Natural and artificial rubber materials are among the elastomers, a special type of polymer. Elastomers are found in many applications, such as skateboard wheels, the soles of tennis shoes, speaker cables and insulation for telephone lines. Today, a wide range of different types of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) are available.
For example:
- TPE-O – Thermoplastic olefins (hard/soft blend continues together)
- TPE-S – Styrenic SBS, SEBS or SEPS compound
- TPE-V – Volcanized PP/EPDM compound
- TPE-E – Copolymer compound
- TPE-U – Thermoplastic Polyurethane
- TPE-A – Thermoplastic Polyamide
The “E” is often omitted in everyday work and people refer to the materials as TPO, TPS, TPV, TPE, TPU and TPA. All hard/soft TPE combinations have rubber-like properties and are differentiated only by their temperature resistance, chemical resistance, resilience and ability to return to their original state when under load.
The disadvantages of TPE compared to conventional thermoset rubbers are lower material properties.
TPEs have lower temperature resistance, chemical resistance and worse recovery.
The main advantages of Thermoplastic Elastomers are their easy conversion (and low energy cost versus thermosets) through conventional thermoplastic processes such as injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, blow molding, etc. TPEs are also easily colored and can be molded with various thermoplastics with good adhesives.
Application areas:
- Soft contact parts of tools, pens, toothbrushes, razors
- Automotive window insulations, vehicle floor mats, airbag covers, instrument panel covers
- Cable coverings
- Sports equipment
- Roof membranes
- Toys