Thermoplastic Elastomer, simply put, is a type of polymer material that exhibits rubber-like elasticity at room temperature but can be plasticized and molded like plastic at high temperatures. This unique property endows it with a range of remarkable characteristics. Thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU) is often used in products such as shoe soles, pipes, and films due to its excellent abrasion resistance, oil resistance, and mechanical strength. Its wear resistance can be several times that of traditional rubber, and its tensile strength can reach over 50MPa. So what are thermoplastic elastomer properties? This article will tell you in detail.
Common styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS) elastomers have a tensile strength of over 15MPa and an elongation at break that exceeds 1000%. Whether subjected to tensile or compressive forces, they can quickly rebound to their initial state, which is very similar to traditional rubber. For example, many of the rubber bands we commonly see are made from this type of thermoplastic elastomer. They can easily return to their original shape after being stretched and can be used repeatedly.
They can be molded using common plastic processing methods such as injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding, greatly improving production efficiency. Take the manufacturing of automotive parts, for example; complex-shaped seals can be quickly produced using injection molding processes with thermoplastic elastomers, ensuring quality while increasing production speed. For instance, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU) typically has an injection molding temperature between 180 - 220℃, with a short molding cycle and high production efficiency. The hardness range of thermoplastic elastomers is extremely wide, from the softness like rubber with a Shore A hardness of around 20, to the hardness like plastic with a Shore D hardness above 70, allowing for flexible adjustments according to different application needs. In the field of electronic products, we can see softly thermoplastic elastomers with a Shore A hardness of around 60 being used as phone cases, providing cushioning and protection for devices. We can also find relatively hard thermoplastic elastomers with a Shore D hardness of around 50 serving as structural parts for computers, ensuring product stability and durability.
Take thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) as an example, it has good resistance to various chemicals such as acids, alkalis, and salts. This allows it to excel in fields like the chemical industry. For instance, in the seals of chemical pipelines, thermoplastic elastomers can resist erosion by various chemical media, ensuring the sealing and safety of the pipelines.
Recyclability aligns with current environmental concepts and helps reduce resource waste and environmental pollution. After discarded thermoplastic elastomer products undergo recycling, they can be reintroduced into production to be made into new products.
As a professional thermoplastic elastomer supplier, the thermoplastic elastomers provided by ATPolymer have good recovery, processability, corrosion resistance and environmental protection, etc., and are the first choice for users when choosing thermoplastic elastomers!
