What is the difference between TPE, TPU and TPV?

Answer:

  • TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer): A general term for materials that exhibit both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties.
  • TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane): A specific type of TPE known for its excellent elasticity, mechanical strength and resistance to oil, chemicals, and abrasion. They often used in applications requiring high performance.
  • TPV (Thermoplastic Vulcanizate): A type of TPE where the elastomeric phase is vulcanized during processing. This results in a material that behaves more like rubber but can still be processed like a thermoplastic.