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What Is TPE?
Thermoplastic Elastomers Explained | United Soft Plastics
What Is TPE?
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are a class of materials that blend the elasticity of rubber with the processing efficiency of plastic. Also called thermoplastic rubbers, TPEs offer a unique combination of flexibility, durability, and recyclability—making them essential in industries like automotive, medical, industrial, electrical, and consumer products.
TPEs are used when manufacturers need soft-touch feel, chemical resistance, or flexible sealing without sacrificing speed or cost in production. At United Soft Plastics, we work with a wide range of TPE technologies to serve demanding product requirements across sectors.
Key Properties of Thermoplastic Elastomers
TPEs offer the best of both plastic and rubber worlds—rubber-like performance with plastic-like processability. Common performance characteristics include:
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Rubber-like flexibility – Excellent elasticity and resilience under stress.
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Thermoplastic processing – Easily injection molded, extruded, or overmolded.
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Recyclability – Unlike vulcanized rubber, TPE can be remelted and reused.
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Temperature resistance – Performs reliably across a wide temperature range.
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Soft-touch surfaces – Ideal for grips, handles, seals, and consumer goods.
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Chemical & UV resistance – Withstands exposure in harsh environments.
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Lightweight & low density – Reduces part weight without sacrificing strength.
Types of Thermoplastic Elastomers
There are several families of TPE materials, each suited for different performance needs:
The most commonly used TPE, offering soft-touch feel and excellent elasticity.
TPE-S
(Styrenic Block Copolymers)
Durable and economical, used in automotive and packaging.
TPE-O
(Olefinic Thermoplastic Elastomers)
Offers improved chemical and heat resistance for seals and underhood parts.
TPE-V
(Thermoplastic Vulcanizates)
Excellent abrasion resistance and flexibility, ideal for wires and cables.
TPE-U
(Thermoplastic Polyurethanes)
Good fatigue resistance, often used in automotive and appliance parts.
TPE-E
(Thermoplastic Copolyesters)
High strength and chemical resistance, used in specialty engineering applications.
TPE-A
(Thermoplastic Polyamides)
Our team specializes in Styrenic based TPE-S, TPE-O (TPO) and other custom formulations. Browse our Unisoft® TPE products to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does TPE stand for?
TPE stands for thermoplastic elastomer, a material that functions like rubber but processes like plastic.
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Is TPE the same as rubber?
No. TPE offers similar flexibility to rubber but can be melted and remolded repeatedly, unlike vulcanized rubber.
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Is TPE safe for medical use?
Yes—medical-grade TPE can be formulated to meet USP Class VI and ISO 10993 standards for biocompatibility.
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Is TPE recyclable?
Yes—one of the biggest advantages of thermoplastic elastomers is their ability to be reprocessed and reused, reducing material waste.