Thermoplastische Elastomere sind die Verwandlungskünstler unter den Kunststoffen. At room temperature, they are as elastic as rubber. When TPEs are heated, they soften and can be shaped in the same way as classic thermoplastics.

Despite the chemical diversity, this results in a number of common physical and technical properties that characterize TPEs.

What is the density of thermoplastic elastomers?

Due to the different chemical properties, it is difficult to make a generally valid statement on the density of thermoplastic elastomers.

For the vast majority of polymers, however, it is typically between 0.9 g/cm³ and 1.2 g/cm³. The exact value depends on the choice of monomers and their ratios to each other in the respective molecule.

How should the water absorption of TPE be evaluated?

Like all plastics, TPEs also absorb water both when stored in water and in a normal climate. This process is a purely physical diffusion that has no influence on the chemical structure of the polymer.

In addition to the expected increase in weight, water absorption is also accompanied by a 25 to 30 percent increase in the length of the workpiece. This means that 1 percent water absorption results in a length increase of 0.25 percent to 0.3 percent.

What is the resistance of thermoplastic elastomers?

Due to their high resistance to environmental influences and a large number of different chemicals, TPEs are used wherever the use of low-cost and high-quality plastics is required.

What is the temperature resistance of thermoplastic elastomers?

Above a certain temperature, TPEs lose their elasticity and change to the soft state of heated thermoplastics, in which they can be deformed. Depending on the polymer, the temperature resistance of TPEs can be as high as 120 °C.

Like all plastics, TPEs are made from individual monomers, i.e. specific chemical building blocks, which react with each other to form long chains known as polymers.

The finished polymer is usually supplied as granules and can be processed in the same way as conventional thermoplastics by injection molding, extrusion or blow molding. TPEs can usually be colored without any problems.

Thermoplastische Elastomere sind wertige und dennoch preiswerte Kunststoffe. Sie lassen sich aufgrund ihrer guten Beständigkeit gegenüber Witterungseinflüssen und Chemikalien sowie ihrer Lebensmittelechtheit zu einer Vielzahl unterschiedlicher Werkstücke verarbeiten.

Daher findet man TPE in nahezu allen Industriezweigen.

• TPE-Puppen: Aus thermoplastischen Elastomeren lassen sich gesundheitlich unbedenkliche Puppen für Kinderhände formen. Lebensmittelechte und ungiftige Kunststoffe halten selbst wildeste Kinderspiele aus und sind nahezu unzerstörbar. Durch eine Erwärmung des Spielzeugs werden keine schädlichen Weichmacher freigesetzt.
• Yogamatte aus TPE: Auch Sportgeräte wie Yogamatten lassen sich hervorragend aus TPE fertigen. Ungiftigkeit und sehr gute Dämpfungseigenschaften machen TPE-Matten zu einem robusten und sicheren Begleiter im Sportstudio.
• TPE-Isolierungen: TPE sind elektrische Isolatoren, die sich zu hochwertigen Kabelisolierungen verarbeiten lassen. Ihre Elastizität macht TPE-Dichtungen vor allem im Fahrzeugbau zum Mittel der Wahl.
• TPE-Schlauch: TPE sind ungiftige Polymere, mit denen sich auch FDA- oder BGA-konforme Schläuche für die Lebensmittelindustrie fertigen lassen. Besondere thermoplastische Elastomere können auch in diesem Bereich Temperaturen bis zu 120 °C ausgesetzt werden.
• TPE foam: Increased environmental and safety requirements also make TPE a perfect material for soft-touch parts and foams in vehicles. Unlike conventional foams, TPE foams can be easily recycled.
• TPE seals: High dimensional stability and ease of processing are what make TPE the perfect material for seals that are not exposed to high temperature fluctuations.
• TPE castors and wheels: High dimensional stability, stable elasticity and good abrasion resistance - castors and wheels made of TPE bring all this to the table. In contrast to castors and wheels made of conventional elastomers, the TPE variants are very easy to recycle.
• TPE film: TPEs are very easy to cast into films and offer a low-cost and non-toxic alternative to conventional PVC films.
• TPE knob: TPE can be used to form robust knobs that have high dimensional stability. The non-toxicity of TPE makes it suitable for use in almost all fields of application.

Thermoplastic elastomers can be extruded, injection molded or blow molded in the same way as conventional thermoplastics. All three processing variants are proven standard processes.

In recent years, the printing process has become more popular, especially in prototyping. TPEs can also be welded together.

TPE bonding

Thermoplastic elastomers can be seamlessly welded or vulcanized together and are therefore suitable for producing tight joints. The welding process for TPEs is identical to that for through-beam welding of thermoplastics.

TPE print

Particularly when it comes to prototyping, the 3D printing process has replaced conventional molding using injection molding.

Low material costs, the elimination of costs for injection molding tools and increasingly better printing hardware have elevated plastic printing to the status of a standard process for the production of small batches and one-offs.

Since TPEs can be molded just as easily as conventional thermoplastics when heated, workpieces can also be printed from thermoplastic elastomers.

Thermoplastic elastomers combine the best of both worlds. This brings with it some special advantages, but also a few disadvantages.

• The advantages of TPE (thermoplastic elastomers):
  TPE is a very broad product group. Therefore, the right plastic in the appropriate hardness can be found for almost any project. Compared to other plastics, thermoplastic elastomers have a good environmental balance, since they can be manufactured with low energy consumption and can be excellently recycled. In addition, the non-toxic TPEs do not contain any plasticizers.
  
  
• The disadvantages of TPE (thermoplastic elastomers):
  Due to their similarity to thermoplastics, TPEs are not heat resistant indefinitely. TPEs are therefore of limited suitability for applications with very large temperature fluctuations.

Thermoplastic elastomers have established themselves as a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative to some traditional plastics. In addition to PVC, these include above all silicone, which also impresses with its non-toxicity and food-safe properties.

Thermoplastic elastomers compared to silicone

The question of whether TPE or silicone should be used can only be answered from application to application. Both plastics convince with dimensionally stable elasticity and non-toxicity.

In the medical sector in particular, TPE products are now ahead in many cases because they are easier to handle, easier to maintain and therefore less prone to errors.

TPE plastics are not harmful to health because, unlike PVC, they are completely free of plasticizers. As a result, many components that require FDA or BGA clearance are made from thermoplastic elastomers.

With consistent recycling, TPEs are also less harmful to the environment, as fewer microplastics end up in water and food cycles.