Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is a type of polymer that behaves like thermosetting rubber, but can be processed like a thermoplastic. There are many ways to achieve this combination of properties, but each method includes a multiphase polymer system with a hard phase and a soft phase. Any material that meets this standard is commonly referred to as a thermoplastic elastomer or thermoplastic elastomer.

There are five major categories of thermoplastic elastomers:

1. Styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer SBC (TPE-S), such as SBS, SEBS, SIS, SEPS, SIBS, SEEPS, etc., characterized by a hundred-molecule triblock structure, two segments of hard styrene, the middle For soft rubber phase

2. Polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomer-POE such as Engage

3. Dynamic vulcanized rubber / thermoplastic blended thermoplastic elastomer (TPV), such as PP / EPDM, PP / NBR, thermoplastic / silicone rubber (TPSiV), etc.

4. Polyetherester thermoplastic elastomer, such as TPEE

5. Thermoplastic polyurethane TPU

Styrene block copolymer (SBC) is a widely used class of materials based on styrene rigid phase and butadiene or isoprene soft phase. They are mixed with rigid polymers such as polypropylene or softeners to obtain the properties required for the application. Depending on whether the rubber phase has been hydrogenated, it can be divided into several subcategories. Synthetic rubber-based elastomers are generally considered to be the most elastic synthetic materials, with the lowest hardness in the thermoplastic elastomer category.

Polyolefin elastomers are used alone or together with rigid olefins, similar to how synthetic styrene-butadiene rubber compounds are produced. This type of thermoplastic elastomer is characterized by a good hardness range, generally low cost, but limited temperature resistance.

Thermoplastic vulcanizate, or TPV, constitutes another method of manufacturing thermoplastic elastomer materials. Thermoplastic elastomers are formed by dynamically cross-linking rubber while dispersing it in a rigid design by reactive extrusion. The vulcanized rubber phase allows these compounds to achieve higher temperature resistance and excellent elasticity. These can be olefins, siloxanes or styrene in the cross-linked rubber phase.

Thermoplastic polyurethane is a type of thermoplastic elastomer that can and often is used alone. The hardness range is limited to medium and high hardness grades (65A and above), but its excellent elasticity, transparency and high abrasion resistance at room temperature provide a unique set of performance attributes for many applications.

Copolyester elastomers are also usually formulated as separate compounds, but with different performance windows. Generally speaking, higher temperature resistance, higher tensile strength and excellent resilience help to offset its higher cost and limited hardness range (28D and higher).

Each of these methods provides a trade-off between performance and cost. Daorun New Materials' experienced team can help you decode the TPE alphabet and determine the best solution for your application.