What are the types of thermoplastic elastomer TPR in Fujian?

TPE materials are used in overmolding, where TPE soft rubber serves as the outer covering layer.

TPE is a classic aggregation-induced emission molecule, which has no fluorescence in solution but exhibits strong fluorescence in solid state, so transparent TPE materials also have important applications in fields such as organic optoelectronics.

Diene-based transparent TPE. Diene-based TPE is mainly an isomer of natural rubber, so it is also called thermoplastic trans-natural rubber. Although its heat resistance and mechanical strength are not as good as rubber, it is widely used in shoemaking, sponges, optical films, and other industrial rubber products due to its good transparency, weather resistance, electrical insulation, and photodegradability.

Thermoplastic Elastomer TPR

Common hard materials for cooperation are mainly plastics, as well as metals and fabrics. TPE injection bonding with fabric is mainly used in luggage products, similar to metal overmolding, generally both are false overmolding.

TPE overmolding generally adopts a two-shot injection molding process, that is, the pre-molded hard plastic part is fixed in the overmold,

Transparent TPE materials, due to their high light transmittance, require strict surface quality of the material products, with no defects such as streaks, pores, whitening, haze, black spots, discoloration, poor gloss, etc. Therefore, throughout the injection molding process, strict and even special requirements must be paid to TPE raw materials, equipment, molds, and even product design.

Transparent TPE, specifically, is a thermoplastic elastomer, while TPR is translated from English, strictly speaking, it is called thermoplastic rubber. This is the most basic difference. TPE is generally modified from the basic material of SEBS, while TPR is modified from the basic material of SBS.

Thermoplastic Elastomer TPR

Then, at a suitable temperature, the TPE soft rubber is injection bonded onto the hard plastic part, and the product is obtained after cooling. The injection temperature for overmolding varies depending on the hard plastic material being overmolded.

The temperature in the feeding zone should be set quite low to avoid blockage at the feed port and allow trapped air to escape.

Transparent TPE is used in appliance housings, handles, and grips, etc., showing excellent hand feel, anti-slip, labor-saving, easy coloring and processing, and it also has a wide design space.

Since any impurity in TPE material may affect the transparency of the product, attention must be paid to sealing during storage, transportation, and feeding to ensure the cleanliness of TPE raw materials. Especially, if TPE raw materials contain moisture, heating will cause the material to deteriorate, so they must be dried. During injection molding, a drying hopper must be used for feeding.

Thermoplastic Elastomer TPR

To change the mixing state, the temperature in the transition zone should be set above the melting point of the masterbatch to alter the mixing state when using masterbatch. The temperature near the nozzle should be set close to the required melt temperature.