How to distinguish TPE composite fabric from TPU composite fabric? TPE is the general term for all thermoplastic elastomers in a broad sense. TPR Thermoplastic Rubber TPU polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer is generally modified by SBS as the base material. TPU composite fabric and TPE composite fabric are often confused, confused, that TPE composite fabric and TPU composite fabric how to distinguish?
Both TPE and TPU belong to thermoplastic rubber elastic materials. TPE and TPU materials with similar hardness, especially black, have certain softness and rubber elasticity. If only by naked eye observation, sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between TPE and TPU. However, the differences and differences between TPE and TPU can be analyzed from various aspects.
1. Differences in hardness (range)
TPE modified based on SEBS has a wide range of adjustable hardness, whose hardness range can vary from ShoreA Scale 0 to 100, while TPU hardness range is usually from Shore60A to Shore70D(currently there are soft TPU with hardness of about 45A in foreign countries, but the price is quite expensive). Therefore, it can be said that the hardness range of TPE is medium to low hardness, while the hardness of TPU is medium to high hardness.
2. Combustion differentiation
TPE combustion has a light aroma and less smoke. TPU combustion is with a certain irritant odor, burning when there is a slight explosion.
3. Performance differences
TPU has better elasticity and elastic recovery performance (flexural and creep resistance) than TPE, mainly because the material structure of TPU is polymer homogeneous structure, which belongs to polymer resin class. TPE is an alloy material with multi-phase structure aggregation formed by blending of multiple components. High hardness TPE processing is prone to product deformation, and in all hardness ranges, TPU shows excellent elasticity, and products are not easy to deformation.
4. Difference in touch
Some cladding products, such as handles and wheels, may be TPE or TPU. TPU material products, rough hand, strong friction resistance; While TPE material products, feel is delicate and soft, friction performance is weak.
To sum up, TPE and TPU are both soft materials with good rubber elasticity. In comparison, TPE is more excellent in touch comfort, while TPU is more flexible and strong. Lower hardness products (such as below 30A), need to choose TPE, can play a slip buffer shock recovery effect. And for high hardness (80A or more) good elasticity products, TPU can be competent.