TPE – general (thermoplastic elastomer)
Trade Name : Generic grade
Reinforced charges
✓ This material meets the criteria ~ Specialized grades may meet this criteria
| Density | 1.00 to 1.18 g/cm³ ISO 1183 |
|---|---|
| Charpy notched impact | 999 kJ/m2 |
| Shore A hardness | 70 Shore A |
| Flexural modulus | 10 MPa |
| Flexural resistance | 5 MPa |
| Tensile modulus | 8 MPa |
| Tensile resistance | 10 MPa |
| Tensile strain | 600 % |
Injection at 180–220 °C, mould at 20–50 °C. Excellent flow properties. Shrinkage (0.5–2.0 %) varies depending on hardness. Pre-drying recommended: 2 hours at 80 °C. Overmoulding onto PP/PE can be carried out directly without a primer.
TPEs are thermoplastic recyclable materials (code 7). The recycling streams depend on the sub-type. They can be easily reprocessed into pellets for similar applications. Overmoulding TPE/PP can complicate separation during recycling.
Many TPE grades (especially TPE-S-SEBS) are FDA and EFSA approved for food contact. Used in teats, kitchen seals, catering equipment. Check the specific grade (SEBS preferred for food applications vs SBS).