Q4: Types of common thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) ?

Common thermoplastic elastomers are mainly divided into six categories:
TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), TPO (polyolefin elastomer), TPV (dynamic sulfurized polyene elastomer), TPS / TPR (polystyrene elastomer), TPEE (polyether ester elastomer), TPA (polyamine elastomer).

Because of the TPE molecular structure, there are rigid segments (hard segments) and soft segments (soft segments). The former mainly affects the elasticity, low temperature properties, hardness, tear strength, modulus,….,etc. of the final product; The latter produces mild chemical and physical crosslinks due to hydrogen bonding between molecular chains and easy formation of crystal regions.

Therefore, different types of TPE have different structures, properties, applications and production methods.