Broadly speaking TPE thermoplastic elastomers are all collectively. English name TPR thermoplastic rubber SBS thermoplastic rubber for the substrate generally made TPU modified polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomer.
Also in another TPE TPE-S with the styrene elastomer as the base material of the elastomer, sometimes referred to TPR (Zhejiang and Taiwan region called more), sometimes can replace defective TPU.TPE-S is it is very solvent oil. The low end of TPE-S is still intolerant climate, resistance is relatively poor stability.
TPE and TPU are all thermoplastic materials having rubber elasticity, hardness close to the TPE and TPU materials, in particular black, have a certain softness and rubber elasticity, such as visual observation alone, sometimes difficult to distinguish the TPE or TPU a. But details of the start, you can still many ways to analyze the differences and differences of TPE and TPU.
1. Hardness (range) of Difference
SEBS-based TPE modified with a wide adjustable hardness, hardness range ShoreA Scale 0 ~ 100 in the range of variation, and TPU hardness range is usually Shore60A ~ Shore70D (currently abroad appear soft TPU hardness of about 45A, but the price is quite expensive). Thus, it can be said TPE hardness is low hardness section, and the hardness of the TPU is high hardness.
2. combustion distinction
TPE has a faint aroma burning, burning smoke less and lighter. TPU is burning odor with some irritation, there is a slight explosion Zizi when burned.
3. The performance difference
TPU elastic and elastic recovery properties (resistance to flex creep resistance) than TPE. The main material is TPU polymer structure homogeneous structure, are polymer resins. The TPE is a multi-component alloy material by blending a multiphase structure aggregate. High hardness of TPE products prone to deformation processing, while all the hardness in the interval range, TPU exhibited excellent elasticity, and the products easily deformed.
4. touch on differences
Some overmolded products, such as handles, wheels, may be of TPE or TPU. TPU materials products, feel more rough, strong friction; TPE material and products, you feel more delicate and soft, friction performance is weak.
In summary, TPE and TPU are all soft material, have good rubber elasticity. In comparison, TPE in terms of comfort touch more remarkable, TPU is more exhibits excellent elasticity and strength. Lower hardness of the product (such as 30A or less), the need to use TPE, can play a non-slip cushion rebound damping effect. For high hardness (80A above) requirements and elastic products, with TPU to be competent.
TPE shrinkage of 1.2 ~ 3%; TPU shrinkage of 0.8 to 1.8 percent. Depending on the specific values depending on grades. General TPU shrink smaller high hardness, high hardness TPE, the proportion of high shrink smaller.