Main business · Elastomers
SEBS/SBS-based elastomers with hardness freely adjustable from ultra-soft to semi-rigid, designed for soft-touch and overmolding applications.
In China, TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) usually refers to soft materials based on styrenic block copolymers SEBS or SBS, compounded with oil, polyolefins and functional additives. At room temperature it is soft and resilient like rubber; when heated it melts and flows like plastic, so it can be efficiently processed by injection molding, extrusion and blow molding, and runners/regrind can be recycled.
By adjusting the formulation, TPE hardness can be set anywhere from about Shore 0A to 95A, in transparent, translucent or any color, with a smooth, dust-free feel. Because the SEBS midblock is saturated, its UV, ozone and thermo-oxidative aging resistance is markedly better than SBS; SBS systems are more cost-effective and suit less demanding consumer goods.
One of TPE's most valuable uses is overmolding (insert or two-shot molding): soft material is molded directly onto rigid plastics such as PP, ABS, PC, PA, PCTG and PMMA, delivering grip, vibration damping, sealing and a premium feel in one step. Xresin supplies overmolding-grade TPE matched to each substrate and supports color matching, sampling and process tuning for mass production; for higher heat resistance or a silkier skin feel, we also offer TPU and TPSiV (injection-moldable silicone) solutions.
Request a Sample TPV Thermoplastic Vulcanizate →Material Features
- Adjustable hardness:About Shore 0A–95A, from ultra-soft gels to semi-rigid parts
- Overmolding performance:Dedicated adhesion formulations for substrates such as PP, ABS, PC, PA, PCTG and PMMA
- Excellent feel:Soft and skin-friendly, with matte-dry or glossy surface options
- Easy coloring and transparency:Available in fully transparent, translucent and colored versions
- Environmental compliance:Grades compliant with RoHS and REACH; some grades meet FDA food-contact requirements
- No vulcanization required:Processed on standard injection and extrusion equipment; runners can be reused
- Good weatherability:SEBS matrix resists UV and aging, suitable for outdoor and long-term use
- Low density:Standard grades about 0.88–1.2 g/cm³; some filled grades higher
Typical Series and Properties
The table shows representative values for material selection reference only; refer to the datasheet of each grade for actual values.
| Series | Hardness | Density g/cm³ | Tensile Strength MPa | Elongation at Break % | Service Temperature °C | Compatible Substrates | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XR-TPE 0A | 0–15A | 0.88–0.90 | About 1–2 | About 800–1000 | -40 ~ 70 | — (standalone molding) | Shock-absorbing gels, toys, silicone replacement parts |
| XR-TPE 30A | 25–35A | 0.89–0.95 | About 2–4 | About 700–900 | -40 ~ 80 | PP | Soft-touch overmolding, keys |
| XR-TPE 50A | 45–55A | 0.90–1.0 | About 4–6 | About 600–800 | -40 ~ 90 | PP / PE | Tool and toothbrush grips, gaskets |
| XR-TPE 70A | 65–75A | 0.92–1.05 | About 6–9 | About 500–700 | -40 ~ 100 | PP | Seals, feet, hoses |
| XR-TPE 90A | 85–95A | 0.93–1.1 | About 8–12 | About 400–600 | -40 ~ 100 | PP | Cable jackets, soft structural parts |
| XR-TPE OM-ABS/PC | 50–80A | 1.0–1.15 | About 5–10 | About 400–600 | -30 ~ 90 | ABS、PC、PC/ABS | Electronics housings, mice, power tools |
| XR-TPE OM-PA | 50–85A | 1.0–1.15 | About 5–10 | About 400–600 | -30 ~ 100 | PA6, PA66 (including glass-filled) | Power tool handles, automotive parts |
| XR-TPE OM-PCTG | 40–70A | 0.95–1.1 | About 4–8 | About 500–700 | -30 ~ 80 | PCTG、PETG、PMMA | Baby products, transparent containers, cosmetic packaging |
| XR-TPE OM-POM | 60–80A | 1.0–1.15 | About 5–8 | About 400–600 | -30 ~ 90 | POM | Zipper pulls, fasteners, soft gear components |
Processing Recommendations
| Item | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Drying | Standard PP overmolding grades usually need no drying; polar overmolding grades: dry at 70–80 °C for 2–4 h |
| Substrate drying | ABS about 80 °C × 2–4 h; PC about 120 °C × 4 h; PA must be thoroughly dried with moisture content controlled |
| Melt temperature (PP overmolding) | About 180–220 °C |
| Melt temperature (ABS/PC overmolding) | About 200–240 °C |
| Melt temperature (PA overmolding) | About 230–260 °C |
| Mold temperature | About 20–60 °C; for polar substrates, substrate side ≥50–60 °C recommended |
| Injection speed | Medium to high, so the hot melt covers the substrate quickly |
| Holding pressure | Moderate; avoid excessive pressure that causes flash and internal stress |
| Extrusion temperature | Typically about 160–210 °C, adjusted by hardness (lower for softer grades) |
| Regrind ratio | No more than 20% recommended, kept clean |
Main Applications
- Hand and power tools:Non-slip grips, switch buttons, shock-absorbing sleeves
- Consumer electronics:Earphone cables and ear tips, data cable jackets, mouse side grips, remote control keys
- Wearables:Watch straps, wristbands, sports protective gear (TPSiV for a premium skin feel)
- Personal care:Toothbrush handles, razor handles, soft parts for beauty devices
- Appliances and home:Appliance feet, sealing strips, soft edges for storage boxes, non-slip strips for hangers
- Automotive interiors:Cup holder mats, storage compartment mats, gear shift boots, soft-touch interior parts
- Baby products and toys:Baby bottle accessories, teethers, children's tableware, soft toy parts
- Medical:Infusion tubing, soft edges for breathing masks, medical grips (using medical-grade materials)
- Sports and outdoor:Swim goggles, diving masks, bicycle grips, racket handles
Overmolding and Adhesion
- PP / PE：TPE is highly compatible with polyolefins; general-purpose SEBS-based TPE bonds well, making it suitable for entry-level overmolding
- ABS / PC / PC-ABS：Requires polar-modified overmolding-grade TPE; bonding is best with a melt temperature of 200–240 °C and a higher mold temperature on the substrate side
- PA6 / PA66：Highly polar and hygroscopic: the substrate must be thoroughly dried, use nylon-specific overmolding TPE, and preheat inserts if needed
- PCTG / PETG / PMMA：Use dedicated grades that bond to copolyesters and acrylics, suitable for clear rigid plus soft baby and cosmetic packaging
- POM：Low surface energy makes bonding most difficult; requires dedicated overmolding grades plus mechanical interlocks, wraparound edges or through-holes
- General guidelines:Keep substrate surfaces clean and dry with no mold release agents; minimize transfer time for overmolding; keep soft-layer thickness uniform, generally at least 1 mm
FAQ
How do I choose between TPE, TPV and TPU?
Choose TPE for soft touch, overmolding and cost-effectiveness; TPV for long-term sealing, higher heat resistance and low compression set; TPU for high abrasion resistance, high strength and oil resistance.
What should I do if TPE peels off after overmolding?
First confirm the TPE grade matches the substrate, then check that the substrate is dry and clean and that melt and mold temperatures are high enough; adding interlocking features and shortening transfer time also improve adhesion.
Will TPE bleed oil or become sticky?
Formulations contain softening oil, which may bleed out if it is poorly compatible with the matrix or under prolonged high temperatures. Using a high-quality SEBS matrix and controlling service temperature effectively prevents oil bleeding and stickiness.
What are the advantages of TPSiV (injection-moldable silicone)?
TPSiV disperses crosslinked silicone rubber in a thermoplastic matrix, with hardness of about 50A–80A, a silky, dust-free feel, and UV and abrasion resistance. It can be overmolded directly onto PC, ABS and PA, and is commonly used for smartwatch straps and premium electronics.
Can TPE meet environmental and food-contact requirements?
Grades compliant with RoHS and REACH are available, along with dedicated grades meeting FDA and other food-contact regulations; test reports can be provided on request.
Tell us about your product and performance requirements
Sales Manager Mr. Zhu · +86 186 803 78990 · [email protected]