page_title: Thermoplastic elastomer
section_title: Types
hierarchical_section_title: Thermoplastic elastomer / Types
caption_attribution_description: English: Chips of thermoplastic Urethane (TPU) Italiano: Granuli di poliuretano termoplastico (TPU) a confronto con una moneta da 1 eurocent
context_page_description: Thermoplastic elastomers, sometimes referred to as thermoplastic rubbers, are a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers that consist of materials with both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties. While most elastomers are thermosets, thermoplastics are in contrast relatively easy to use in manufacturing, for example, by injection molding. Thermoplastic elastomers show advantages typical of both rubbery materials and plastic materials. The benefit of using thermoplastic elastomers is the ability to stretch to moderate elongations and return to its near original shape creating a longer life and better physical range than other materials. 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.
context_section_description: There are six generic classes of commercial TPEs (designations acc. to ISO 18064):
  Styrenic block copolymers, TPS (TPE-s)
  Thermoplastic polyolefinelastomers, TPO (TPE-o)
  Thermoplastic Vulcanizates, TPV (TPE-v or TPV)
  Thermoplastic polyurethanes, TPU (TPU)
  Thermoplastic copolyester, TPC (TPE-E)
  Thermoplastic polyamides, TPA (TPE-A)
  Not classified thermoplastic elastomers, TPZ
  Examples of TPE materials that come from block copolymers group are amongst others CAWITON, THERMOLAST K, THERMOLAST M, Arnitel, Hytrel, Dryflex, Mediprene, Kraton, Pibiflex, Sofprene, and Laprene.  Out of these styrenic block copolymers (TPE-s) are CAWITON, THERMOLAST K, THERMOLAST M, Sofprene, Dryflex and Laprene. Desmopan or Elastollan are examples of thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU). Sarlink, Santoprene, Termoton, Solprene, THERMOLAST V, Vegaprene, or Forprene are examples of TPV materials. Examples of thermoplastic olefin elastomers (TPO) compound are For-Tec E or Engage. Ninjaflex used for 3D printing.
  In order to qualify as a thermoplastic elastomer, a material must have these three essential characteristics:
  The ability to be stretched to moderate elongations and, upon the removal of stress, return to something close to its original shape
  Processable as a melt at elevated temperature
  Absence of significant creep
caption: Thermoplastic polyurethanes
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