Having spent over a decade in the materials industry, I’ve worked with countless batches of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), from soft grips to durable seals. One question that keeps popping up, especially from clients focused on quality or sustainability, is how to tell if a TPE is recycled or virgin. It’s a valid concern—recycled TPEs can […]

As a materials engineer with over a decade of experience in polymer processing, I’ve spent countless hours troubleshooting issues in injection molding and overmolding projects. One question that frequently comes up, especially from designers and manufacturers, is: Will thick TPE overmolding cause flow marks? It’s a legitimate concern—flow marks, those unsightly streaks or patterns on

Having spent over a decade working with polymers and elastomers in industries ranging from automotive to consumer goods, I’ve handled materials like TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) and various types of rubber in countless applications. A question I often encounter, especially from engineers and product designers, is: Will TPE react chemically with rubber? It’s a critical concern

As someone who’s been knee-deep in the world of plastics and elastomers for over 15 years, I’ve handled TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) in countless applications, from flexible grips to medical tubing. One question that keeps popping up, especially from folks in colder climates or industries with low-temperature demands, is: Will TPE rubber break at around zero

Having spent over a decade in the plastics and elastomer industry, I’ve worked with countless materials, from ABS to TPE, in applications ranging from consumer electronics to automotive parts. One question that comes up frequently, especially from those designing or purchasing products, is: Does ABS combined with TPE produce an odor? It’s a practical concern—nobody

As someone who’s been working with thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) for over a decade, I’ve seen this material pop up in everything from phone cases to medical devices. Its soft, flexible, and durable nature makes it a favorite across industries. But one question I often hear is: Will TPE soft rubber harden after a few years?

As someone who’s been in the plastics manufacturing industry for over fifteen years, I’ve spent countless hours on factory floors, tweaking injection molding processes and troubleshooting production challenges. One question that pops up frequently, especially from product designers and business owners, is: How long does it take to produce injection-molded thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) products? It’s

Having spent over a decade in the plastics and materials industry, I’ve worked with countless materials, from rigid polymers to flexible elastomers. One question I hear often, whether from product designers or curious consumers, is about the heat resistance of polypropylene (PP) and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). Specifically, people want to know: How long can these

As someone who’s spent years in the materials science and plastics industry, I’ve seen firsthand how the conversation around sustainability has evolved. One question that keeps coming up, especially from environmentally conscious consumers and businesses, is about the biodegradability of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). People want to know: How long does TPE take to break down