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

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,