Main business · Elastomers
Rebounds and seals like rubber, molds and recycles as efficiently as plastic: TPV is a proven replacement for vulcanized EPDM rubber.
TPV (thermoplastic vulcanizate) is an elastomer with polypropylene (PP) as the continuous phase and EPDM rubber as the dispersed phase, with the rubber phase dynamically vulcanized during melt blending. Highly crosslinked rubber particles are evenly distributed in the plastic matrix, giving the material the elasticity, sealing and aging resistance of vulcanized rubber while retaining the thermoplastic ability to flow when heated and set when cooled.
Compared with conventional vulcanized EPDM rubber, TPV eliminates mixing and vulcanization steps and can be molded directly on standard injection, extrusion and blow molding equipment, with short cycle times. Trim and runners can be reused in proportion, and parts have a lower density (about 0.93–0.98 g/cm³), helping reduce vehicle and equipment weight. Mainstream TPV hardness ranges from about Shore 35A to 50D, with long-term service temperatures from -60 °C to 135 °C and outstanding ozone, UV and weather resistance.
Xresin has long specialized in thermoplastic elastomer supply, offering a wide range of TPV materials including general-purpose, high-flow injection, extrusion, food-contact and low-compression-set sealing grades. Distributed brands include Santoprene, Trexprene, Sarlink, Kraiburg and Elastron, and we help with material selection, sampling and process tuning based on part design, operating conditions and certification requirements.
Request a Sample TPE Thermoplastic Elastomer →Material Features
- Wide hardness range:About Shore 35A–50D; one material system covers soft seals to semi-rigid structural parts
- Wide temperature range:Brittleness temperature as low as about -60 °C; some grades offer long-term heat resistance up to 135 °C (SAE J2236)
- Low compression set:The crosslinked rubber phase provides lasting resilience, ideal for long-term sealing
- Weather and ozone resistance:Saturated EPDM backbone resists cracking outdoors and in engine compartments
- Chemical resistance:Good resistance to water, glycol, most acids and alkalis, and detergents
- Lightweight:Density about 0.93–0.98 g/cm³, lower than most vulcanized rubbers
- Recyclable:Production trim can be reused in proportion (usually no more than 20%), reducing waste
- Colorable:Natural grades are easy to color for a variety of appearances and textures
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 % | Compression Set 70 °C/22 h % | Service Temperature °C | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XR-TPV 35A | 35–40A | 0.93 | About 3 | About 330 | About 15–20 | -60 ~ 125 | Soft-touch handles, ultra-soft seals |
| XR-TPV 45A | 45A | 0.94 | About 3.5 | About 400 | About 20 | -60 ~ 125 | Cushion pads, soft keys |
| XR-TPV 55A | 55–60A | 0.96–0.97 | About 4.5–5.0 | About 420–450 | About 23 | -60 ~ 135 | Automotive weatherstrips, door and window seals |
| XR-TPV 65A | 65–70A | 0.97 | About 6 | About 450 | About 28 | -60 ~ 135 | Appliance seals, pipe seals |
| XR-TPV 75A | 75–80A | 0.97–0.98 | About 8–9 | About 500 | About 32 | -60 ~ 135 | Dust boots, bellows, feet |
| XR-TPV 87A | 87–90A | 0.97 | About 15 | About 530 | About 40 | -55 ~ 135 | Tool handles, rigid seals |
| XR-TPV 40D | 40D | 0.95 | About 19 | About 600 | About 50 | -55 ~ 135 | Automotive exterior parts, sleeves |
| XR-TPV 50D | 50D | 0.94 | About 25 | About 600 | About 55 | -50 ~ 135 | Semi-rigid structural parts, rack-and-pinion boots |
Processing Recommendations
| Item | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Drying | Desiccant drying at 80 °C × 3 h, moisture content ≤0.08% |
| Barrel temperature (rear/middle/front) | About 177 / 182 / 188 °C, increasing by zone |
| Melt temperature | About 190–230 °C, typically about 200–205 °C |
| Mold temperature | About 10–52 °C, typically 20–35 °C |
| Injection speed | Medium-fast to fast, fill time about 0.5–2 s |
| Back pressure | About 0.35–0.7 MPa |
| Screw speed | About 100–200 rpm |
| Vent depth | About 0.025 mm |
| Regrind ratio | No more than 20% recommended |
| Extrusion | Melt about 195–210 °C, die about 200–210 °C |
Main Applications
- Automotive:Door and window weatherstrips, dust boots, bellows, air intake ducts, wire harness sleeves
- Home appliances:Washing machine and dishwasher door seals, drain pipe seals, anti-vibration feet
- Construction:Door and window seals, curtain wall seals, pipe seal rings
- Electrical and electronics:Wire and cable jackets, connector seals, soft plug components
- Tools:Non-slip grips for power and hand tools
- Food and household:Food-contact seal rings, bottle cap liners, soft kitchenware parts
- Medical:Infusion set components, syringe plungers, etc. (using appropriate biocompatible grades)
- Industrial:Pump and valve seals, vibration damping elements, overmolded rollers and casters
Overmolding and Adhesion
- TPV is PP-based and bonds directly by melt to polyolefin substrates such as PP and PE, suitable for two-shot molding and insert overmolding
- Standard TPV bonds weakly to polar materials such as PC, ABS and PA; use specially modified overmolding-grade TPV or add mechanical interlocks
- TPV is incompatible with POM (polyacetal) and PVC; direct overmolding or sharing a barrel with these materials is not recommended
- When overmolding, raise the TPV melt temperature appropriately and shorten insert transfer time; keep substrate surfaces clean and dry and avoid mold release agents
FAQ
What is the difference between TPV and TPE?
TPV is a class within the broad TPE family whose rubber phase is dynamically vulcanized and crosslinked, giving it markedly better heat resistance, oil resistance and compression set than ordinary SEBS-based TPE, making it better suited to long-term sealing and high-temperature applications.
Can TPV replace EPDM rubber?
In most low- to medium-temperature sealing, dust protection and vibration damping applications it can, while eliminating vulcanization and reducing part weight; for very high temperatures or special oil resistance requirements, specific grades should be evaluated or another elastomer used.
Does TPV need to be dried before processing?
TPV has low moisture absorption, but pellet surfaces may adsorb moisture. For good appearance and stable performance, desiccant drying at 80 °C for about 3 hours is generally recommended.
Can TPV be used for food-contact or medical products?
Yes, dedicated grades certified to FDA, NSF or USP Class VI / ISO 10993 are available; the scope of compliance is defined by each grade's certification documents.
Does TPV have flame-retardant or UL certification?
Most general-purpose grades are rated UL 94 HB and listed on UL Yellow Cards, and dedicated V-0 flame-retardant grades are available to meet end-use certification requirements.
Tell us about your product and performance requirements
Sales Manager Mr. Zhu · +86 186 803 78990 · [email protected]