Application of 6 Varieties of Thermoplastic Elastomers

Thermoplastic elastomers, abbreviated as TPE or TPR, are also referred to by many as SBS, a specific type of elastomer. But in reality, there is no unified name for thermoplastic elastomers both domestically and internationally, and most of the time they are represented by the English abbreviation TPE. There are several varieties of thermoplastic elastomers:

(1) TPU polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer

(2) TPS styrene based thermoplastic elastomers

(3) TPO olefin thermoplastic elastomer

(4) TPV dynamic vulcanization thermoplastic elastomer

(5) TPEE polyester thermoplastic elastomer

(6) TPA polyamide thermoplastic elastomer

TPU

TPU is a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, which is a polymer material formed by the joint reaction and polymerization of diisocyanate molecules such as MDI or TDI, macromolecular polyols, and low molecular polyols (chain extenders). Usually, according to the soft segment structure, it can be divided into polyester type, polyether type, and butadiene type, which respectively contain ester group, ether group, and butene group.

1. Polyester TPU: High strength, excellent resistance to hydrolysis and high resilience, low temperature performance, oil resistance, good wear resistance, and resistance to compression deformation. The application areas include shoe materials, clothing, conveyor belts, pipes, sealing rings, automotive accessories, hydraulic hoses, corrugated pipes, wires and cables, blending modification, electronic injection molding, etc.

2. Polyether type TPU: Good hand feel, excellent resistance to hydrolysis, low-temperature flexibility, bacterial resistance, aging resistance, and weather resistance. Application areas include flat hoses, fabric coatings, wire and cable sheaths, films and sheets, animal ear tags, smart watch straps, clothing materials, etc.

TPS

TPS, also known as TPES, is a styrene based thermoplastic elastomer. It is a copolymer of styrene and other substances, mainly divided into SBS, SEBS, SIS, and SEPS according to the different types of copolymers.

1. SBS

SBS is a copolymer of styrene and butadiene as monomers, and is the largest proportion of TPS. The properties are very similar to rubber, allowing for contact with solvents such as water, weak acids, and alkalis. It has the characteristics of high tensile strength, good wear resistance, good low-temperature performance, excellent electrical performance, and good processing performance.

Application areas: shoe soles, hose tapes, adhesives, asphalt modifiers, daily necessities, waterproof rolls.

2. SEBS

SEBS is hydrogenated SBS, also known as saturated SBS, which is harder and has higher tensile strength compared to SBS. In addition, it also has excellent light resistance, aging resistance, good low-temperature performance, and good electrical performance.

Application areas: daily necessities (stationery, toys, sports equipment), cable protective covers, medical equipment, adhesive sealants, engineering plastic compatibilizers or toughening agents.

3. SIS

SIS is a styrene isoprene styrene block copolymer, which is a sister product of SBS. SIS has good elasticity and bonding strength, low temperature resistance, good solubility, low solution viscosity, and fast curing, but poor oil resistance, solvent resistance, and heat resistance.

Application field: Mainly used for hot melt pressure-sensitive adhesive, it can be used for bonding medical, electrical insulation, packaging, etc.

4. SEPS

SEPS is a block copolymer of polystyrene polyethylene polypropylene polystyrene. Better than SEBS, it has excellent mechanical properties, low-temperature performance, insulated shoes, heat resistance, chemical corrosion resistance, oil resistance, and good compatibility with polyolefin and styrene polymers.

Application areas: adhesives, sealants, engineering plastic modifiers and compatibilizers, cable and optical cable filling paste, automotive lubricant viscosity enhancer, cosmetic grade Vaseline viscosity enhancer.

TPO

TPO is a type of polyolefin thermoplastic elastomer, which is a type of polyolefin material formed by copolymerization of ethylene with propylene or other olefins (such as 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, etc.). POE and EVA can be considered as such elastomers.

1.POE

POE is a thermoplastic elastomer synthesized by in-situ polymerization of ethylene and octene using metallocene catalysts. Its characteristics include good toughness, processability, aging resistance, flowability, and good compatibility with polyolefins.

Application areas: shoe materials, cable protective sleeves, toys, toughening agents, high-end hot melt adhesives, flame retardant masterbatch, film additives, and modifiers.

2. EVA

Copolymerized from ethylene and vinyl acetate (VA). It should be noted that only those with a VA content of 40% -70% can be called EVA elastomers. When the VA content is less than 40%, EVA resin is usually used for modified materials, films, and cable materials. EVA with a VA content greater than 70% is in liquid form and is mainly used for adhesives and coatings.

Application areas: shoe materials, PVC modifiers, toys, sports equipment, automotive interiors.

TPV

TPV is known as thermoplastic dynamic vulcanized rubber, which is generally made by melting and blending vulcanized rubber and plastic. Many plastics and rubber can form TPVs, but only a few blends have practical value after dynamic vulcanization. Currently, the main commercialized TPV is PP/EPDM, which uses PP as the continuous phase and EPDM rubber as the dispersed phase. Its production accounts for more than 90% of all TPVs. Has good elasticity, temperature resistance, electrical insulation, aging resistance, easy coloring, and good hand feel.

Application areas: car door sealing rings, foot pads, car dust covers, cable sleeves, electrical seals, fitness equipment gloves, etc.

TPEE

Polyester thermoplastic elastomers, commonly known as TPEE or TEEE. A linear block polymer composed of PBT polyester hard segments, aliphatic polyester soft segments, or polyether soft segments.

Features: It has good compressive modulus, bending fatigue resistance, instant high temperature resistance, tear resistance, wear resistance, and good adhesion with various engineering plastics, metals, and paints.

Applications: shoe materials, automotive parts, flexible telephone cords, memory pillows, hydraulic hoses, artificial leather, transmission belts, modifiers, etc.

TPA

TPA, also known as TPAE, is a polyamide thermoplastic elastomer composed of crystalline hard segment polyamide and amorphous soft segment. Generally, polyamides are classified into PA6 series, PA66 series, PA12 series, etc.

Features: It has the advantages of nylon, such as high strength, elasticity, toughness, wear resistance, oil resistance, heat resistance, and excellent processing performance.

Applications: silicone rubber substitutes, advanced shoe materials, automotive parts, medical catheters, silencing gears, elastic fibers, intelligent wearables, etc.

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