An Introduction to TPE Material: Properties and Applications
Time of issue:2025-06-09
We previously mentioned that TPE material is a type of plastic, also known as thermoplastic elastomer TPE. However, many newcomers to the TPE industry may still be unfamiliar with its properties and applications. Below, Sobo, a TPE material manufacturer, will explain the properties and uses of TPE material!
Thermoplastic elastomer TPE combines the high elasticity, high strength, and high resilience of rubber with the injectable processing characteristics of thermoplastics. It is environmentally friendly, non-toxic, safe, has a wide range of hardness options, excellent colorability, a soft touch, weather resistance, fatigue resistance, temperature resistance, superior processability, does not require vulcanization, and can be recycled to reduce costs. It can be used for overmolding (secondary injection molding) to bond with substrate materials such as PP, PE, PC, PS, ABS, or can be molded independently.
Advantages of TPE Material:
Easy Processing: TPE can be processed using general thermoplastic plastic molding machines without the need for special equipment.
Increased Production Efficiency: Direct vulcanization with rubber injection molding machines can reduce the time from around 20 minutes to less than 1 minute. Due to the short vulcanization time required, extruders can also be used for direct vulcanization, significantly improving production efficiency.
Recyclability and Cost Reduction: Scrap materials (such as flash and waste rubber) generated during production and final defective products can be directly reused. Used TPE products can be simply regenerated and recycled, reducing environmental pollution and expanding the sources of renewable resources.
Energy Saving: Most thermoplastic elastomers do not require vulcanization or have a very short vulcanization time, effectively saving energy. Taking the energy consumption of high-pressure hose production as an example, rubber consumes 188 MJ/kg, while TPE consumes 144 MJ/kg, achieving energy savings of over 25%.
Wider Application Fields: TPE combines the advantages of rubber and plastics, opening up new application fields for the rubber industry.
Reinforcement and Toughening Modification for Plastics: TPE has high self-reinforcement properties, simplifies formulations, and minimizes the impact of additives on polymers, making it easier to control quality and performance.
Applications of TPE Material:
Smart Wearables: TPE can be used to make wristbands for smart bracelets/watches, a popular application in recent years for those familiar with electronic technology.
Overmolding (Secondary Injection Molding): TPE can be used wherever overmolding is required, such as for handles of toothbrushes, power tools, utility knives, tape measures, etc.
Electronic Wiring: TPE can be used to make earphone cables, data cables, phone cases, plug materials, etc.
Wire and Cable Industry: TPE can be used as sheathing materials, outer coverings, antennas, and wires for wires and cables, achieving flame retardancy up to HB-V0 level.
Food-Grade Applications: TPE can be used to make kitchen utensils such as cutting boards, knives and forks, food packaging, and handles for kitchenware.
Caster Industry: TPE can be used to make industrial casters, medical bed casters, luggage casters, etc.
Toy Industry: TPE can be used to make toy figurines, soft rubber toys, toy tires, etc.
Medical Supplies Industry: TPE can be used to make infusion tubes, tourniquets, infusion sets, medical catheters, etc.
Water Pipe Industry: TPE can be used to make hoses, garden retractable hoses, etc.
Eyewear Industry: TPE can be used to make eyeglass frames, temple tips, nose pads, diving masks, etc.
Automotive Industry: TPE can be used to make many automotive parts such as automotive sealing strips, automotive floor mats, automotive dust covers, automotive corrugated tubes, etc.
Sports Equipment: TPE can be used to make resistance tubes, yoga mats, acupressure mats, bicycle handle grips, flippers, etc.
Adult Products Industry: TPE can be used to make realistic dolls, masturbators, and other adult情趣器具.
Footwear Industry: TPE can be used to make shoe soles, insoles, heels, etc.
TEL: +86-0752-6768128 FAX: +86-0752-6768088 MAIL: sales@tpe-sp.com WEB: en.tpe-sp.com
ADD: Huangxi Industrial Park, Shiwan Town, Boluo County, Huizhou City, Guangdong Province，China