What is TPE tubing?
Kent Elastomer Products produces high-quality specialty-engineered thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) tubing that is an efficient and cost-effective alternative for latex, silicone and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compounds. TPE compounds are used to manufacture products to the exacting standards of our customers.
What are 5 thermoplastic elastomers?
Generally, thermoplastic elastomers can be categorized into the following classes:
- Thermoplastic Styrenic block copolymers (SBC or TPE-S)
- Thermoplastic elastomer polyolefins (TPO or TPE-O)
- Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV or TPE-V) or elastomeric alloys (EA)
- Thermoplastic Polyurethanes Elastomer (TPU or TPE-U)
Can thermoplastics Cross Link?
The easy melt processability of thermoplastic elastomers is the same characteristic that limits their use in elevated temperatures. Cross-linking overcomes this primary limitation so that the material can be used at and even above its melting point without changing dimensionally.
What is TPE tubing made of?
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), sometimes referred to as thermoplastic rubbers, are a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers (usually a plastic and a rubber) that consist of materials with both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties.
What is TPE made of?
TPEs are a family of rubber like materials that combine the characteristics of rubber with the recyclability and processing advantages of plastics.
Are thermoplastic elastomers crosslinked?
The idea behind thermoplastic elastomers is the notion of a reversible crosslink. Normal crosslinked polymers cannot be recycled because they don’t melt. They don’t melt because the crosslinks tie all the polymer chains together, making it impossible for the material to flow.
What is the difference between elastomer and thermoplastic?
The principal difference between thermoset elastomers and thermoplastic elastomers is the type of cross-linking bond in their structures. In fact, crosslinking is a critical structural factor which imparts high elastic properties.
Is thermoplastic elastomer safe?
TPEs process easily, have excellent mechanical properties and elasticity, and possess strong haptics. Their inherent low toxicity and compliance to medical and food contact regulations make TPEs a safe choice for specifying materials for use.
Does TPE contain lead?
Mat manufacturers often promote TPE as being free of bisphenol-A (BPA), PVC, lead, phthalates, dioxins, and other problematic chemicals, but they may still leach synthetic estrogens, even if they aren’t exposed to high temperatures, humidity, and sunlight (as yoga mats often are, particularly in Bikram).
What is crosslinked polymer?
In polymer chemistry, when a synthetic polymer is said to be “cross-linked”, it usually means that the entire bulk of the polymer has been exposed to the cross-linking method. The resulting modification of mechanical properties depends strongly on the cross-link density.
Are crosslinked polymers harder?
Since crosslinks between polymer chains are stronger than normal intermolecular attractions, crosslinking forms a stable and stronger polymer material.