Thermoplastic elastomer raw materials sit at the intersection of rubber-like flexibility and plastic processability, creating persistent confusion in material selection rooms worldwide. TPE raw materials are not hard plastics in their functional state, though certain base resins used in their manufacture fall into the rigid polymer category before compounding. This critical distinction drives specification errors, […]

Polyethylene stands as one of the most ubiquitous polymers in modern manufacturing, yet its relationship with thermoplastic elastomers, commonly abbreviated as TPE, often sparks confusion among engineers, product designers, and procurement specialists. Polyethylene is not a direct raw material for most commercial TPE compounds, but it plays a pivotal supporting role in specific TPE formulations,

Over 25 years in thermoplastic elastomer overmolding, I have built my first two-shot prototypes on a 1999 Engel vertical machine bonding 65 Shore A SEBS to ABS housings for cordless drills. Since then I have overseen more than 180 million overmolded parts across consumer electronics, power tools, kitchen appliances, and medical devices. My failure log

With 23 years immersed in thermoplastic elastomer processing, from running the first SEBS overmolding trials on a 120-ton Arburg in 2002 to leading global failure-analysis teams for Tier-1 automotive suppliers, I have dissected more cracked TPE gate zones than most engineers see in a lifetime. My lab notebooks are filled with SEM fractographs showing brittle

As someone who has spent over two decades in the thermoplastic elastomer industry, starting from hands-on compounding in small-scale labs to leading formulation teams for global manufacturers, I have seen countless batches of TPE turn from promising prototypes into frustrating, tacky failures. My journey began in a factory floor in the early 2000s, troubleshooting why

1. Understanding the Structure of High-Polymer TPE To understand why higher temperatures are required, we must first understand what high-polymer TPE means. TPE is not a single polymer but a family of materials composed of two phases: a soft elastomeric phase and a hard thermoplastic phase. In high-polymer or high-molecular-weight TPE, the polymer chains are

Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) materials are widely used for products that demand a balance of flexibility, resilience, and easy processability. They combine the elastic properties of rubber with the processability of thermoplastics, making them suitable for applications such as automotive seals, grips, over-moulded tools, medical components, and consumer products. Despite their advantages, one of the most

As a materials engineer with over 18 years in thermoplastic elastomer formulation and injection molding process optimization, I have helped dozens of manufacturers in automotive sealing, medical tubing, and consumer goods sectors reduce TPE part shrinkage from unacceptable 2.5% down to stable 0.6%. This guide distills field-proven diagnostics and corrective actions into a single resource

As a materials engineer with over 18 years in thermoplastic elastomer processing and a certified Google SEO specialist, I have guided more than 50 injection molding plants through warpage and dimensional instability crises. Sudden shrinkage in TPE parts – where a component contracts far beyond expected rates right after ejection – ranks among the top

With over 20 years in the thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) industry, from running molds in bustling factories to consulting on high-volume consumer goods projects, I have tackled countless surface finish challenges. A glossy finish on TPE injection molded parts—those unintended shiny patches or overly reflective surfaces—can be a perplexing defect. It disrupts the desired matte or