Thermoplastic elastomers: A quick definition

What is TPE material? 

Due to their design and manufacturing flexibility, thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are among the most versatile plastics on the market. TPEs combine the processing advantages of thermoplastics with the performance properties of elastomers. As a result, they are relatively easy to process using thermoplastic methods such as extrusion and injection molding. Time intensive rubber processing methods, especially vulcanization, are not required.

The nature of their molecular structure gives a TPE high elastic properties. All TPEs are composed of crystalline and amorphous domains. These can be physical blends or alloys of crystalline and amorphous polymers, or they can be block copolymers, which are chemical mixtures of blocks of crystalline and amorphous domains in the polymer chain.

The hard blocks are responsible for the plastic properties of the final product in the case of TPEs and blends, including easy processing and temperature resistance and material properties such as tear and tensile strength or chemical resistance. Adhesion is also determined by these properties. The soft blocks are responsible for the elastomeric or elastic properties. They determine material properties such as hardness and flexibility as well as the extent of permanent deformation.

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