TPE

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), sometimes called thermoplastic rubbers, are a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers that consist of material with both thermoplastics and elastic properties. TPE tends to show the advantages of both rubber and plastic materials. The benefit is that they return to their original shape creating a longer life without getting deformed.

What is TPE?

In short, TPEs are a family of rubber like materials that combine the characteristics of rubber with the recyclability and processing advantages of plastics.
The science bit; like thermoplastics, when heated and with the application of shear force, TPEs become free-flowing and when cooled regain their original structure and stability. Unlike the chemical cross-linking which occurs in thermoset rubbers, TPE involves purely physical cross-linking, which can be reversed via the further application of heat, this makes it possible to re-use all production waste and end of life products can be easily reprocessed.
TPEs exhibit elasticity similar to that of a cross-linked rubber. Their softness or hardness value is measured on the Shore durometer scale. Our TPEs are available as ultra-soft gel like materials measuring 0 Shore A through to rigid materials measuring up to 65 Shore D, and just about every variation in-between.
It is this design flexibility, high-performance and ease of processing that has led to designers increasingly turning to TPEs as their material of choice. TPEs are used in a variety of applications in the automotive, medical, construction, electrical, appliance, packaging and industrial markets – and new uses for TPEs are being developed all the time.

There are six generic classes of TPEs

1. Styrenic block copolymers (TPE-s or TPS compounds based on SBS, SEBS)
2. Polyolefin blends (TPE-O or TPO)
3. Elastomeric alloys (TPE-V or TPV)
4. Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPE-U or TPU)
5. Thermoplastic copolyester (TPE-E or TPC))
6.Thermoplastic polyamides (TPE-A or TPA)