Technical.
TPEs Classifications
1
ThermoPolyurethane Elastomer
Thermoplastic polyurethane is referred to as TPU.
According to its soft segment, TPU is mainly divided into two series: polyether series and polyester series. It has the following main characteristics in terms of performance and processing:
Advantage :
1. The abrasion resistance is excellent among all TPEs.
2. It has the characteristics of high strength, high toughness and
high transparency.
3. Good fatigue resistance, cold resistance and oil resistance.
Shortcoming :
1. There will be hydrolysis problems.
2. Insufficient weather resistance and UV resistance, easy to
yellow.
3. The residual stress of the finished product is large, and it is easy
to stick to the mold.
2
Dynamically Vulcanized Polyolefin Elastomers
Dynamic vulcanized polyolefin elastomer (Thermoplastic Vulcanizate) referred to as TPV. According to the type and combination of hard segment and soft segment, TPV has various types of specifications, but the most representative is the PP-EPDM series. TPV has the following main characteristics in terms of performance and processing technology :Advantage :
1. Compression set is the lowest among TPEs.
2. A wide range of hardness.
3. Good oil resistance, weather resistance and heat resistance.
Shortcoming :
1. The wear resistance is worse than that of rubber and TPU.
2. The specifications are opaque and the price is high.
3. The flow coefficient is low, and the surface of the finished product is prone to flow marks.
3
Polystyrene Elastomer
Polystyrene elastomer (Thermoplastic Styrene) referred to as TPS or TPR.Polystyrene elastomers can be divided into two categories: unhydrogenated (SBS) and hydrogenated (SEBS).SBS molecules have double bonds and are susceptible to oxygen, ozone and ultraviolet light.SEBS and SEPS have no such concerns because their molecules are saturated bonds.The processing technology has the following main characteristics:
Advantage :
1. The finished product has a wide range of physical properties and
is easy to process.
2. Soft and easy to stretch, close to the touch of rubber and
Silicone.
3. Available in low hardness (softest among elastomers).
4. The highest elongation and the best resilience.
5. Can be used as a compatibilizer and modifier for many plastics.
6. Environmental protection, non-toxic, 100% recyclable.
Shortcoming:
1. The finished product has poor stain resistance, abrasion
resistanceand oil resistance.
2. The tensile strength is worse than that of PVC, and it cannot be
bonded at high frequency.
3. SEBS/SEPS are not easy to print and paste.
4
Polyester Elastomer
Polyetherester elastomer (Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer) referred to as TPEE.According to different molecular structures, TPEE can be divided into: polyester type and polyether type; polyester and polyester type; liquid crystal TPEE. The most common and required grades on the market are polyester and polyether TPEE. The processing technology has the following main characteristics:
Advantage :
1. High heat resistance, heavy load resistance and excellent
rebound performance.
2. Excellent repetitive fatigue properties and toughness.
3. Low temperature flexibility is better than TPU.
4. Good oil/drug/chemical solvent resistance.
Shortcoming :
1. Low hardness is difficult to obtain, and low hardness is
difficult to process.
2. The processing conditions are not easy, and more precise
processing machines are required.
3. Expensive.
5
Polyamide Elastomer
Polyamide elastomer (Thermoplastic Polyamide Elastomer) referred to as TPA.TPA uses polyamide as the hard segment and low Tg polyether or polyester as the soft segment.
TPA has the following main characteristics in performance and processing technology :
Advantage :
1. Good processability (good dimensional stability).
2. Has nylon-like toughness and wear resistance.
3. Good heat resistance and oil resistance.
4. Good low temperature impact resistance.
Shortcoming :
1. Insufficient rubber elasticity.
2. Easily hydrolyzed by boiling water.
3. Expensive.
4. Recycled materials are prone to discoloration.