I’ll never forget the first time I encountered a TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) peeling issue on a production line. It was a hectic day at a footwear factory, and the freshly molded shoe soles looked promising—until we noticed the surface flaking off like old paint. The team was frustrated, and I was tasked with figuring out […]

When I first got into the materials industry, I was fascinated by how a handful of raw ingredients could transform into TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) pellets—those versatile little beads that become everything from shoe soles to medical grips. I remember standing in a compounding plant, watching the extruder churn out glossy TPR pellets, and wondering, “What

Back when I started in the materials industry, I was handed a squishy, stretchy sample of TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) and told it was the future of flexible plastics. I was hooked. Its ability to bend like rubber yet mold like plastic opened up endless possibilities, from shoe soles to medical grips. But as I worked

I still remember the first time I was handed a sample of TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) during my early days in the materials industry. It was soft yet durable, flexible yet moldable—a material that seemed to defy simple categorization. Over the years, as I worked with manufacturers, designers, and engineers, one question kept popping up: “What

When I first stepped into the materials coating industry, I was struck by how something as seemingly minor as a paint thinner could make or break a project. Working with TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) paints is no exception. TPR’s unique blend of rubbery flexibility and plastic processability makes it a favorite for products like shoe soles,

As someone who’s spent over a decade in the materials industry, I’ve worked with countless clients puzzled by how to achieve vibrant, consistent colors in TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) products. Whether it’s for shoe soles, toys, or medical devices, getting the right hue is as much an art as it is a science. When I first

As someone who’s been in the materials industry for years, I often get questions about the hardness of TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber). TPR, with its flexibility, abrasion resistance, and eco-friendly properties, is a go-to material for shoe soles, toys, seals, and more. Yet, hardness—one of its core properties—can be a puzzle for newcomers or procurement folks.

In my years working with TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) in manufacturing plants and product development labs, I’ve encountered all sorts of challenges, but one that always seems to catch people off guard is when TPR products or components stick together. Whether it’s shoe soles fused in storage, toy parts clinging after molding, or grips melded during

As someone who’s spent over a decade navigating the quirks of TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) production, I’ve seen just about every hiccup that can pop up in the manufacturing process. One issue that frequently trips up both newbies and seasoned pros is unwanted patterns or marks on TPR products—those pesky swirls, streaks, or textures that appear

Walking through the shoe aisle or browsing online, you’ve probably noticed terms like TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) and rubber thrown around when describing shoe soles. As someone who’s spent years in the footwear materials industry, I know how confusing it can be to figure out what sets these two apart—especially when you’re trying to choose the