TPE and TPR definitely offer some differences, which really comes down to their base materials. TPE is modified from SEBS base material and TPR is often modified from SBS.
To better understand the difference in the manufacturing processes behind TPE and TPR, we must first break down the meaning of SEBS base material and SBS.
What are SEBS and SBS?
Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene Block Copolymer (SEBS) is the product of hydrogenated SBS. But what exactly is SBS? It’s styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, which offers soft-touch characteristics utilised extensively by designers – especially in hand tools.
What does this mean in relation to SEBS? It’s the act of introducing molecular hydrogen to unsaturated molecules in special reaction conditions. What this does is ensure the molecular structure becomes saturated, which offers anti-aging properties, as well as resistance to yellowing. On top of this, it also ensures higher heat and corrosion resistance than SBS, therefore resulting in a higher performance output of TPE over TPR.
TPE choices
There’s a lot to choose from, with TPE groups available, including:
Polyolefin blends (TPE-O)
Styrenic block copolymers (TPE-S)
Elastomeric alloys
Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPE-U)
Thermoplastic polyamides (TPE-A)
Thermoplastic co-polyesters (TPE-E)
With the flexibility of plastics and rubber, both TPE and TPR are used widely in engineering, but for different applications. In TPR, specifically, its unsaturated molecular structure is similar to that of rubber, which gives it its elastic feel.
The Shore durometer scale
TPEs are certainly thermoplastic, but they still offer similar elasticity to their cross-linked rubber counterpart. This is determined by its softness or hardness, which is monitored on a scale known as the Shore durometer.
Available as soft gel materials – from 20 Shore OO up to 90 Shore AA – TPEs possess similar qualities to crosslinked rubber. After reaching 90 Shore AA, they are introduced to the Shore D scale, which means they can be formulated to achieve a hardness of up to 85 Shore D.
TPRs are available in a wide range of durometers, from 20 Shore OO to 85 Shore D – again, this aligns with TPE.
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“Gold quality, Top brand, Win world” are our pursuit and goal, With more than ten years’ experience, we will renew the management concept and equip with advanced technology to meet the demand of customers at home and abroad.we warmly welcome you to cooperate with us.
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