The first time I handled a 0 hardness TPE sample, I almost laughed — not because it was bad, but because it challenged everything I thought I knew about “solid” materials. It didn’t behave like a rubber band, a gel, or even soft silicone. Instead, it felt somewhere between a lump of jelly and a […]

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve walked into a molding shop’s material room, only to see bags of TPE sitting quietly in a corner, some still wrapped in their original packaging, others half-open with a scoop sticking out. The operators would shrug and tell me, “It’s fine — we used it last year

As someone who’s been immersed in the plastics industry for nearly two decades, working with everything from automotive seals to soft-touch consumer goods, I’ve encountered just about every hiccup that can derail a production run. One of the trickiest issues I’ve had to tackle is bubbles in TPE overmolding—those pesky air pockets or voids that

After spending more than 15 years working with thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) in industries ranging from automotive to consumer goods, I’ve seen just about every manufacturing hiccup you can imagine. One issue that keeps cropping up, no matter the application, is delamination and peeling during the TPE molding process. Whether it’s a soft-touch grip on a

Having spent over a dozen years in the plastics and elastomer industry, I’ve tackled countless challenges in material bonding, especially when it comes to combining thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). This pairing is popular in products like tool grips, automotive parts, and consumer electronics, where TPE’s soft, flexible feel complements ABS’s rigid,

As someone who’s been knee-deep in the world of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) for over a decade, I’ve seen my fair share of production challenges. One issue that keeps popping up, whether I’m consulting for a toy manufacturer or troubleshooting for an automotive parts supplier, is uneven color in TPE products. It’s frustrating when a batch

As someone who’s spent years navigating the ins and outs of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), I’ve seen how their unique stretch-and-snap-back properties can make or break a product. One key property that often comes up in projects is elongation at break—the measure of how far a TPE can stretch before it snaps. Whether you’re designing flexible

As someone who’s been knee-deep in the world of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) for over a decade, I’ve wrestled with my fair share of molding challenges. One of the most frustrating issues is sticking in the mold—when your beautifully designed TPE part refuses to pop out cleanly, slowing production and driving up costs. It’s a problem

As someone who’s spent years working with thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), I’ve seen firsthand how versatile these materials can be. TPEs are prized for their rubber-like elasticity combined with the processability of thermoplastics, making them a go-to choice in industries like automotive, medical, and consumer goods. But one question I often hear is: how do you

Having spent nearly two decades in the materials industry, I’ve worked with countless polymers, from automotive components to consumer goods. One question that frequently crops up—whether from product designers, manufacturers, or curious DIYers—is how TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) stacks up against TPO (Thermoplastic Olefin). Both materials are celebrated for their versatility and rubber-like properties, but they