Thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU) is a type of elastomer that can be plasticized by heating and dissolved by solvents. It has excellent comprehensive properties such as high strength, high toughness, wear resistance, and oil resistance, and it also has good processing performance. Its applications span almost all industries and it is now widely used in footwear, clothing, pipes, films and sheets, cables, automobiles, construction, medical and health care, defense, and sports and leisure, among many other fields. In terms of its application in automotive products, automobile dashboards, electric tool housings, charging piles, body parts, battery cables, and brake hoses are all made of or use TPU. TPU is recognized as a new type of polymer material that is environmentally friendly and has excellent performance, and has obtained relevant international green environmental certifications.
Wide Range of Hardness
By changing the ratios of the various reactive components of TPU, products with different hardness levels can be obtained, and as hardness increases, the products still maintain good elasticity.
High Mechanical Strength
TPU products have outstanding load-bearing capacity, impact resistance, and shock absorption performance.
Good Processing Performance
TPU can be processed using common thermoplastic material processing methods, such as injection molding, extrusion, and calendering. Additionally, TPU can be co-processed with other polymer materials to obtain polymer alloys with complementary properties.
Excellent Cold Resistance
TPU has a relatively low glass transition temperature and maintains good elasticity, flexibility, and other physical properties at minus 35 degrees Celsius.
High Wear Resistance
Compared to other materials, it has a high Taber abrasion index and excellent wear resistance.
Currently, the TPU industry is in a rapid growth phase with extensive and continuously expanding downstream application fields. Related new technologies, new products, and new applications are constantly emerging, providing a broad market outlook. As a key material for the industrial transformation and upgrading in the advanced manufacturing sector, high value-added TPU products are continuously being developed and introduced to the market. TPU materials have become one of the fastest-growing thermoplastic materials and are an important part of the materials industry. It is estimated that by 2026, consumption will reach approximately 900,000 tons, with an annual compound growth rate of about 10% over the next five years.
