Engineering Plastics
Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE)
Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), introduced commercially only in the 1960s, is a polymer material with the characteristics of thermoset vulcanized rubber and thermoplastic. TPE exhibits high elasticity of thermoset vulcanized rubber at room temperature and good processability of thermoplastic at high temperature.
The principal difference between thermoset elastomers/rubbers and thermoplastic elastomers is in the type of the crosslinking bond in their structures. In fact, crosslinking is a critical structural factor which contributes to imparting high elastic properties. TPEs provide the simplest way of achieving outstanding properties by simply varying the blend compositions and the viscosity of the components and compounding ingredients at a low cost.
Properties
- Excellent flexural fatigue resistance
- Good tear & abrasion resistance
- High impact strength
- Low specific gravity
- Excellent resistance to chemicals & weathering.
- Co-injection & co-extrusion with Polyolefins & certain Engineering Plastics
- Good electrical properties
- Resistance to Low & High Temperatures from -30oC to +140oC
- Colourability.
Application
- Automotive: Weather seals, shock dust boots, bumpers, exterior & interior parts, exterior & interior trims, instrument panels, air ducts, pipe grommets, glass encapsulation, drive belts, high/low pressure pipes, mats for motor scooters, O-rings
- Construction: Extruded seals for doors and windows, simple or co-molded hydraulic seals, glazing seals, pipe seals
- Industrial: Anti-vibration mounts, inlet pipes and exhaust manifolds, seals, drum suspension bushes, shock absorbers, roof membranes
- Consumer: Magnetic seals for refrigerators, power tools handles, remote control covers, mobile phone covers, push-button panels, shock absorbing protections for vacuum cleaners
- Medical: Breathing tubes, syringe seals 7 tips, ventilation masks and bags, seals, valves, catheters
- Electronics: Sheaths for condensers, plugs and loose sockets, specialty cables, mobile phone components
- Footwear & Sporting Goods: Items for diving (flippers, snorkels, masks) and skiing (ski pole handles, ski boots), sports goods, shoe soles
