As a materials specialist with over a decade in the plastics industry, I’ve worked with Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) across applications from medical devices to consumer products like yoga mats and phone cases. One of the most common concerns I hear from manufacturers, distributors, and end-users alike is about the odor of TPE materials. That distinct […]

Having worked in the plastics and materials industry for over 15 years, I’ve spent countless hours tweaking processes and advising manufacturers on how to get the best out of Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE). One question that comes up repeatedly, especially from production managers and quality control teams, is how long TPE products need to cool before

As someone who’s spent over a decade in the materials and manufacturing industry, I’ve worked with Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) in everything from medical devices to consumer goods. One question that keeps popping up, especially from clients and manufacturers, is how long TPE protection powder—like talc or cornstarch—can keep TPE products in good condition after application.

As someone who’s been knee-deep in the materials industry for over a decade, working on projects ranging from automotive seals to fitness bands, I’ve had my fair share of challenges with thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and the oils they often contain. One question that frequently comes up, especially from engineers and manufacturers, is: What reacts chemically

Having spent over a decade in the materials industry, working on everything from automotive seals to fitness equipment, I’ve often been asked about the differences between TPE, TPR, and TPO. These abbreviations—standing for Thermoplastic Elastomer, Thermoplastic Rubber, and Thermoplastic Olefin, respectively—get thrown around a lot, and it’s easy to see why they cause confusion. They

Having spent years in the materials science and manufacturing world, I’ve worked on countless projects involving thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), from fitness bands to medical tubing. One question that keeps popping up, especially among engineers and designers, is about the film coated on TPE surfaces. This thin layer, often applied to enhance performance or aesthetics, can

As someone who’s been in the materials and fitness equipment industry for over a decade, I’ve seen how the choice of materials can make or break a product’s performance. When it comes to pull exercisers—those stretchy bands or tubes used for resistance training—one question I often hear is: What’s the difference between TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer)

Having worked in the materials and manufacturing industry for over a decade, I’ve tackled countless challenges related to bonding different materials. One question that comes up frequently, especially in applications like automotive parts, consumer electronics, or flexible packaging, is how to effectively bond thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) to plastic sheets. It’s a tricky task because TPEs,

As someone who’s spent years working with thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) in manufacturing and material development, I’ve seen firsthand how these versatile materials can behave in unexpected ways. One issue that keeps popping up, especially for those new to TPEs or troubleshooting production challenges, is rapid hardening of TPE compounds. It’s frustrating when a material that’s

As someone who’s been in the footwear industry for over a decade, I’ve seen countless materials come and go, each promising to revolutionize how we walk, run, or simply stay upright. One question I get asked often is whether TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) soles truly deliver on their anti-slip promise. It’s a fair concern—nobody wants to