Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE)
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), also known as thermoplastic rubbers (TPR), are a hybrid class of materials that exhibit a combination of properties typically found in rubber and plastic. When heated, they achieve a semi-melted state, making them easy to process and partially recyclable.
Category: Polymer Material
Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO)
Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) is a recyclable thermoplastic elastomer that combines the characteristics of polypropylene (PP) and a non-crosslinked elastomer such as EPDM. It is a cost-effective and durable material with good flexibility and weather resistance, making it a popular choice for applications ranging from automotive parts to consumer goods.
Category: Polymer Material
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a versatile class of thermoplastic elastomers. It has both the properties of conventional thermoplastics, such as melt processability, and elastomers, such as elasticity, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, from automotive and electronics to medical products and consumer goods.
Category: Polymer Material
Thermoplastic Starch (TPS)
Thermoplastic Starch (TPS) is a biodegradable polymer made by processing natural starch (typically from sources like corn, potato, or cassava) with plasticizers such as water, glycerol, or sorbitol. Under heat and shear, starch granules gelatinize and melt, forming a thermoplastic material that can be molded and processed using conventional plastic manufacturing techniques like extrusion and injection molding. TPS is widely used in sustainable packaging, agricultural films, and disposable products due to its renewable origin, biodegradability, and potential to replace petroleum-based plastics. However, its sensitivity to moisture and mechanical properties often require blending with other polymers for improved performance.
Category: Polymer Material
Thermoplastic Vulcanizate (TPV)
Thermoplastic Vulcanizate (TPV) is a polymeric material class that combines the characteristics of thermoplastics and elastomers. It is composed of a thermoplastic matrix and a crosslinked elastomeric phase. Combining these two components provides TPV with unique properties such as low-temperature resistance, high-temperature resistance, and aging resistance, making it suitable for various applications from automotive to medical.
Category: Polymer Material
