When are TPEs the best choice?
From a processing perspective, thermoplastic elastomers offer cost savings to processors and is priced less than silicone elastomers which is also attractive to their customers. TPEs consume less energy during production because the process avoids cross-linking. TPE melts when exposed to higher temperatures, thus has recyclability properties, permitting the reprocessing, if not contaminated.
TPEs offer some of the same benefits as silicone elastomers including vibration resistance, hypoallergenic, and compression set, however with limitations in certain temperature ranges. For this reason, they are not as well-suited for many automotive under-the-hood applications or exterior parts with these operating temperatures.
For some applications, TPE can offer advantages over LSRs and other silicone elastomers. For seals and other permeability-related applications, TPEs provide a strong barrier against oxidation, moisture, and retain pre…