what is tpe material

Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is a flexible and rubber-like material that processes like plastic. It is a true thermoplastic, which means it does not require vulcanization or curing. TPEs are a diverse family of rubber-like materials that can be processed and recycled like plastics. They are a bridge between the service of elastomers and the processing of thermoplastics. TPEs are composed of crystalline and amorphous domains, which can be physical blends or alloys of crystalline and amorphous polymers, or they can be block copolymers, which are chemical mixtures of blocks of crystalline and amorphous domains in the polymer chain. TPEs are processed using a variety of plastic manufacturing equipment such as injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding. They can also undergo secondary operations such as welding and bonding to various materials. TPEs offer part design flexibility and easy bonding to other thermoplastic substrates. TPEs are used in a variety of applications in the automotive, medical, construction, electrical, appliance, packaging, and industrial markets. They are suitable as materials for applications where a flexible or elastomeric material is required. TPEs have the potential to be recyclable since they can be molded, extruded, and reused like plastics.