The Clever Combination of Two Polymer Components

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) merge the properties of thermoplastics and elastomers. For example, TPE exhibits elastic behavior at room temperature (comparable to classic elastomers), but can be plastically deformed when heat is applied (thermoplastic behavior).

TPEs are copolymers consisting of a hard and soft segment, which are used either as a statistical or as a block copolymer. The properties of the thermoplastic elastomers can be specifically adjusted by the segments used and their quantity ratio to each other. As a result, they exhibit excellent mechanical properties with high flexibility and good chemical resistance.

A distinctive position among thermoplastic elastomers is held by TPE-U's (PUR cables), which have a particularly high tear resistance, very good low-temperature flexibility and good hydrolysis resistance. They are therefore ideal for use in moving applications.

The areas of application for TPE are wide-ranging:

  • Robot cables
  • Drag chain cables
  • Railroad cables
  • Special cables (hybrid cables)
  • Military cables (navy/air force)
  • Charging cables for e-vehicles
Abbreviation Chemical name

VDE Ref.

Continuous operating temperature 3000h [°C] Continuous operating temperature 20,000h [°C]

Melting range [°C]

Tensile strength [Mpa]

Stretch [%]

Hardness

Volume resistivity at 20°C Dielectric strength Dielectric constant at 1MHz, 20°C

LOI

Flame retardancy

Halogen-free

TPE-U

Thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer

11Y

115

-60 to 80

190 - 205

20 - 55

>300

75A - 65D

>10^12

30

5,5 - 8,0

<30

Low to good

yes

TPE-E

Thermoplastic polyester copolymer

13Y / 12Y

130

-70 to 115

180 - 230

>25

>300

40D - 78D

>10^12

30

3,5 - 5,0

<29

Low to good

yes

TPE-S

Thermoplastic styrene block copolymer

17Y

125

-75 to 115

>150

9 - 25

>300

30A - 50D

10^12 - 10^16

30

3,0 - 4,0

22 - 27

Low

yes

TPE-O

Thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer

18Y

120

-50 to 90

>135

3 - 20

>300

47A - 50D

>10^14

30

3,0

<25

Low to good

yes

TPE-V

Thermoplastic vulcanizate

-

115

-60 to 105

155 - 230

4 - 25

>400

35A - 50D

-

30

2,3

<22

Low to good

yes