Thermoplastic Elastomer, the English name is Thermoplastic Elastomer, so it is usually abbreviated as TPE, also known as Thermoplastic Rubber, the English name is Thermoplastic Rubber, usually abbreviated as TPR, both of them are short for Thermoplastic Elastomer. What is thermoplastic elastomer? In fact, it is a kind of rubber with high elasticity, high strength, high resilience, but also has the same as plastic can be injection molding processing of materials, so it is also known as artificial rubber or synthetic rubber.

　　Similar to natural rubber, TPE feels good to the touch and is elastic to the touch. At the same time, thermoplastic materials have good properties of high temperature resistance, which makes it also become the favorite of kitchen cooking utensils. We all know the well-known kitchen utensils brand OXO, TPE as one of its main brand materials, so OXO's products are mainly tools kitchen products (need to be held in the hand), usually gives people a warm, skin-friendly, easy to use feeling, TPE has also become one of the exclusive materials of OXO's brand identity. That's why specializing in one material often makes a great brand.

　　TPE material characteristics:

　　1. High color match

　　2. Great grip

　　3. Good elasticity

　　4. Shock absorbing effect

　　5. Relatively expensive

　　6. UV resistant

　　7. Recyclable

　　8. Because it is easy to produce, high production efficiency also means shorter production cycles, which reduces production energy consumption, and it is recyclable.

　　TPEs can be manufactured by standard injection molding, compression molding, and blow molding. Injection molding is particularly important in the processing of TPEs, as it is the most widely used molding method for the majority of TPEs in the marketplace, and TPEs can be adjusted to different grades of hardness by adjusting the proportions of the raw materials, ranging from the softest palm-like elasticity to the hardness of a tire. It is also possible to incorporate traditional thermoplastic materials to improve impact strength.

　　Typical Applications for TPE

　　TPE is currently the mainstay in the production of data cables, and is perfectly suited for use in electronic equipment accessories (data cables, headphone cables, audio cables, etc.). Other major applications include grips for various tools, fishing lures, toys, adult products, sports equipment, and so on.