What is Thermoplastic Elastomer?
Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) is a polymer material that has vulcanized rubber properties at room temperature and can be plastically deformed at high temperatures. It can be processed and formed by plastic molding equipment. Sometimes it is also called TPR.
What are the advantages of Thermoplastic Elastomer?
1. Can be processed using standard plastic molding machine, does not require special tools.
2. Production efficiency is greatly improved, can be directly vulcanized with rubber injection machine.
3. Easy to recycle, reduce costs, waste generated during production can be directly reused.
4. Thermoplastic elastomers do not require vulcanization or have a short vulcanization time, which can effectively save energy.
5. Because TPE combines the advantages of rubber and plastic, it opens up a wider field for the rubber industry.
6. Can be used to help enhance, toughen and modify plastic materials.
Difference between TPE and thermoset elastomer
TPE Thermoplastic Elastomer:
Advantages: thermoplastic, low processing cost, recycled material can be completely recycled, environmental friendly.
Disadvantages: poor solvent resistance, high compression deformation rate, usually not resistant to high temperature (above 120°C).
Rubber Thermoset Elastomer:
Advantages: good solvent resistance, excellent permanent compression, good high temperature resistance, excellent fatigue resistance.
Disadvantages: long processing time, recycled materials cannot be recycled, poor production odor, high environmental concerns.
What are the common types of Thermoplastic Elastomer?
◆ TPU
◆ TPO
◆ TPV
◆ TPS / TPR
◆ TPEE
◆ TPA
| TPU
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Advantages
|
◆Excellent wear resistance among all kinds of TPE.
◆High strength, toughness and transparency.
◆Fatigue resistance, oil resistance.
◆Environmental friendly, non-toxic and recyclable, can be used for food and medical products.
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Disadvantages
|
◆Hydrolysis problem
◆Poor weather resistance (UV)
◆Residual products are easy to stick to the mucous membrane
◆The heat resistance of the finished product is not excellent
|
|
Applications
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Wire and cable, shoes, air cushion, elastic film, medical supplies, wheels, environmental protection leather, etc.
|
| TPEE
|
Advantages
|
◆High load bearing and tough
◆Good fatigue characteristics, best resilience
◆High heat resistance, good low temperature characteristics
◆Good oil resistance / chemical resistance / chemical resistance
|
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Disadvantages
|
◆It is not easy to have low hardness products (below 40D)
◆Expensive
◆The lower the hardness, the higher the processing difficulty
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Applications
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Wire and cable, silent gear, machinery, automotive parts, communication antenna, rail buffer pad, safety airbag, etc.
|
| TPA
|
Advantages
|
◆Excellent wear resistance among all kinds of TPE.
◆High strength, toughness and transparency.
◆Fatigue resistance, oil resistance.
◆Environmental friendly, non-toxic and recyclable, can be used for food and medical products.
|
|
Disadvantages
|
◆Hydrolysis problem
◆Poor weather resistance (UV)
◆Residual products are easy to stick to the mucous membrane
◆The heat resistance of the finished product is not excellent
|
|
Applications
|
Wire and cable, shoes, air cushion, elastic film, medical supplies, wheels, environmental protection leather, etc.
|
UL Specification - Halogen Free Flame Retardant TPE
UL Spec Halogen Free Flame Retardant Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) has passed UL fire safety testing and meets the most stringent flame retardant and combustion extinguishing tests for composite high-performance TPE. Different from general TPE specifications, UL specifications contain flame retardant additives, which make them have excellent flame retardant characteristics. The whole series of specifications are chlorine-free, bromine-free, low-smoke halogen-free characteristics, in line with the harmful substances Rohs directive and provide good flame retardant effect.