TPE is broadly speaking an umbrella term for all thermoplastic elastomers. It is categorised as follows

But usually said TPE, is by SEBS / SBS + PP + naphthenic oil + calcium carbonate + additives blended together, in the industry, also known as environmentally friendly soft plastics, but sometimes called TPR (Zhejiang and Taiwan called more).TPU, also known as polyurethane, there are polyester type and polyether two.

TPE and TPU are thermoplastic with rubber elastic material, hardness close to the TPE and TPU materials, such as visual observation alone, sometimes it is still difficult to distinguish between TPE or TPU. But starting from the details, or from a variety of aspects to analyse the differences and differences between TPE and TPU

1.Transparency

The transparency of TPU is better than TPE, and it is not as easy to stick as transparent TPE.

2.Specific gravity

The specific gravity of TPE varies greatly, from 0.89 to 1.3, while TPU is between 1.0 and 1.4. In fact, in the process of their use, mainly in the form of co-mingled substances, so the specific gravity varies greatly!

3. Oil resistance

TPU has better oil resistance, while it is difficult for TPE to be oil resistant.

4. After burning

TPE burning has a light aromatic smell, burning smoke is relatively small and light, TPU burning with a certain irritating odour, burning with a slight explosion sound.

5. Mechanical properties

TPU's elasticity and elastic recovery performance (flexural creep resistance) is better than TPE.

The main reason is that the material structure of TPU is a homogeneous polymer structure, belonging to the polymer resin class. On the other hand, TPE is a multi-component blend of alloy materials that are aggregated in a multi-phase structure.

High hardness of TPE processing is prone to product deformation, while in all hardness range, TPU shows excellent elasticity, and products are not easy to deform.

6.Temperature resistance

TPE is -60 degrees Celsius ~ 105 degrees Celsius, TPU is -60 degrees Celsius ~ 80 degrees Celsius.

7. Appearance and feel

For some overmoulding products, TPU material products, feel more rough, friction resistance; while TPE material products, feel more delicate and soft, friction performance is weak.

In summary, TPE and TPU are both soft materials, both have good rubber elasticity. Comparatively speaking, TPE is more excellent in terms of tactile comfort, while TPU presents more excellent elasticity and strength.