The Rise of Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE): A Superior Alternative to PVC and Rubber
Time of issue:2025-06-09
Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) is a new generation of environmentally friendly material that combines the physical properties of vulcanized rubber with the processing characteristics of thermoplastic plastics. It is environmentally friendly, non-toxic, safe, and offers a wide range of hardness options, excellent colorability, a soft touch, weather resistance, fatigue resistance, temperature resistance, superior processability, and the ability to be recycled, thus reducing costs. TPE can be seen as a combination of the best attributes of both plastics and rubber, and it is gradually encroaching on the application territories of PVC and rubber. The main reasons for this shift are that rubber emits a strong odor, is non-recyclable, environmentally unfriendly, has poor oil and solvent resistance, lacks ozone resistance, exhibits poor electrical insulation properties (making it unsuitable as an insulating material), is difficult to store, prone to aging, hardens at low temperatures, and has poor stability and high density, making it challenging to control during processing. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), on the other hand, is a toxic chlorine-containing resin. Plasticizers are added during its processing, and the greater the plasticizer content, the softer the material becomes. PVC is widely used in building materials and artificial leather. However, PVC plastic products can slowly decompose and release harmful hydrogen chloride gas to the human body at elevated temperatures, around 50°C.
Compared to PVC and rubber, TPE is more resistant to both high and low temperatures, offers better elasticity, and is safe, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. In recent years, as environmental awareness has increased, TPE, which is energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, has begun to replace PVC and rubber in many fields.
TPE is a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer. It is a blended and modified material based on SEBS (Styrene-Ethylene-Butylene-Styrene Block Copolymer, a hydrogenated styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer). TPE combines the thermoplasticity of plastics with the elasticity of rubber.
The microstructure of TPE material determines its properties and its special position and role in the plastics industry.
TPE material does not contain unsaturated bonds in its structure, making it relatively stable and possessing good temperature resistance (operating temperature range of -50°C to 100°C), aging resistance, chemical resistance, and solvent resistance.
The TPE material structure contains rigid ethylene-styrene segments that are in a glassy state at room temperature, imparting a fixed shape to the material and ensuring its performance. It also contains flexible butadiene segments that are in a highly elastic state at room temperature, providing the material with a comfortable, soft touch and elasticity.
During the production process of TPE material, no heavy metals are introduced, and no toxic phthalate plasticizers are added, ensuring compliance with environmental testing standards such as ROHS, REACH, EN71, PAHS, and FDA.
TPE material can be directly injection molded, is easy to process, has a short molding cycle, and its waste products are easy to recycle, making it an ideal material to replace rubber and silicone.
By adjusting the formulation and ratio of TPE material, materials with diverse physical properties and hardness can be provided to meet the most suitable usage requirements for different products.
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