Thermoplastic elastomers are used in many cases as a replacement for conventional elastomers. The use of TPE offers numerous advantages. Unless using conventional rubber or silicone is an absolute requirement, the use of thermoplastic elastomers is always advantageous.
TPEs can be processed by injection moulding. It allows for short cycle times, which makes the production method considerably more efficient.
Moreover, TPEs are thermoplastic and therefore recyclable. The waste produced during production can be added back into the production process.
Due to these process advantages, it is almost always possible to achieve a cost saving compared to rubber.
More is possible with TPE than you think. In order to leverage all the benefits of TPE, it is important that the choice of material is made in the product development process at an early stage.
The easiest way to explain the advantages of thermoplastic elastomers is by comparing thermoplastic elastomers with thermosetting elastomers.
The production of traditional thermoset elastomers consists of four steps: The first step is to make a compound. The second step is the pressing of the product. Then comes step three: the material must be vulcanised. In step four, the material residues (burrs or tabs) that have escaped must be removed. All steps combined makes for a time-consuming and cumbersome process.
Products made of thermoplastic elastomers, on the other hand, are produced on standard injection moulding machines for plastics. These products are manufactured in a single operation and require no finishing. This leads to shorter cycle times and thus lower production costs.
Furthermore, the production of traditional thermoset elastomers generates residual waste which, in most cases, cannot be recycled. This is very different with thermoplastic material. This can be recycled, so that less valuable raw material is lost.
The optical and aromatic properties of TPE can also be well influenced. In contrast to elastomers, TPE can be coloured without any problems (even in smaller batches). This makes TPE extremely suitable for design and visible parts, in addition to technical applications.
The inherent odour of TPE is limited, which is one of the reasons why TPE can be widely used in the food industry. If desired, an aromatic substance can be added to TPE to deliberately simulate a certain product odour.
Our soft products are used in various industries:
