Understanding Thermoplastic Elastomer

What Is Thermoplastic Elastomer?

Thermoplastic elastomer TPE/TPR, also known as artificial rubber or synthetic rubber. Its products not only have the excellent properties of high elasticity, aging resistance and oil resistance of traditional cross-linked vulcanized rubber, but also have the characteristics of convenient processing and wide processing methods of ordinary plastics.

 It is a new type of polymer material between rubber and resin, which can not only replace part of rubber, but also modify plastic.

Different Kinds of Thermoplastic Elastomers Applications

1) Thermoplastic elastomer biodegradable

Trends: Puma begins testing biodegradable sneakers

Suede, the experimental version of this shoe uses many new technical methods in its design, including Zeology tanned suede, biodegradable thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and hemp fiber.

2) SBC resin used in stretch hood film application

Styroflex is a styrene-butadiene block copolymer with the properties of a thermoplastic elastomer (S-TPE). In film applications, Styroflex provides excellent stretch recovery and superior transparency and puncture resistance.

3) Thermoplastic elastomers in medical applications

Kraiburg TPE, meanwhile, recently launched a new line of thermoplastic elastomers that not only hold certifications for healthcare applications in accordance with European Union and U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards but can also be combined directly with polyamides. Dubbed the MC/AD/PA Thermolast M series, Kraiburg says it is now introducing “the world’s first TPEs for medical applications in composites with polyamides

4) Polyolefin elastomer (POE) is an elastomer obtained by random copolymerization of ethylene and α-olefin

POE is under normal temperature conditions. It exhibits high elasticity of rubber without vulcanization, and plastic flow can occur when the melting temperature of the polyethylene segment is higher. It is a thermoplastic elastomer.

What Is Happening in Thermoplastic Elastomer Market? 

√ High performance styrene thermoplastic elastomer complete technology

Under the joint efforts of Sinopec Baling Petrochemical Company, Sichuan University, Beijing University of Chemical Technology and Hunan Baili Engineering Science and Technology Co., Ltd., after 15 years, China has finally developed a complete set of SEBS industrialization technology with independent intellectual property rights, making the green and environmental protection SEBS a substitute material, and improving the medical and consumption of our country. The new generation of high-performance styrene thermoplastic elastomer package technology projects, also won the 2014 National Second Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress Paint.

√ Baling Petrochemical's SBC project with an annual output of 170,000 tons starts

Recently, one of Baling Petrochemical’s "Out of Baling Development Baling" project, the 170,000 tons of styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (SBC) project invested by Hainan Baling Petrochemical New Materials Co., Ltd., is located in Yangpu Economic Development Zone. (Petrochemical Functional Zone) Construction has started, and it is expected to be commissioned by the end of next year.

√ Analysis of the reasons why gas masks choose TPE

Gas mask refers to a kind of protective equipment to protect personal respiratory tract against poisonous gas. Nowadays, the material of gas mask has been changed from the original ordinary PVC rubber material to silicone rubber material and thermoplastic elastomer TPE.

√ Mitsubishi Chemicals completed its acquisition and will build a new TPE plant

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) announced that it has completed its acquisition of the PVC composite business of Welset Plast Extrusions Private Limited in India and plans to build a new factory to produce thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) for automotive interior components and other products.

√ Tramaco bead materials add elastomeric foam options

Materials such as thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) cannot be processed by conventional chemical or physical foaming due to their low melt strength. In such cases, microbead materials from Tramaco, a subsidiary of the Rowa Group, can provide an appropriate solution.

Thermoplastic Elastomer Manufacturers on ECHEMI

In the end, if you want to buy thermoplastic elastomer products, here are a lot of good choices on this platform, like the following is a VIP tpe supplier: Sinopec Assets Management Corporation Ba

Sinopec Assets Management Corporation Ba has a superior geographical location and convenient transportation. The company is committed to the research and production of thermoplastic elastomers like SEBS and other materials. It is a large-scale and fast-growing petrochemical enterprise.