What is the future development prospect of TPE?

Excellent thermoplastic elastomer has both the processability of thermoplastic and the physical properties of vulcanized rubber, which can be described as a superior combination of the advantages of plastic and rubber. Thermoplastic elastomers are occupying the field that originally belonged only to vulcanized rubber. In recent ten years, the rapid development of electronic appliances, communication and automobile industry has driven the rapid development of thermoplastic elastomer market. Characteristics Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) has the physical and mechanical properties of vulcanized rubber and the processability of thermoplastics. Because there is no need for thermal vulcanization, the production of products can be completed by using general plastic processing equipment. This feature shortens the production process of rubber industry by 1/4, saves energy consumption by 25%~40%, and improves efficiency by 10 ~20 times, which is called another material and technology revolution in rubber industry. Future Development Trend In recent years, with the increasing communication between China and the world, some domestic TPE\TPR manufacturers began to develop in the direction of halogen-free flame retardant, which had a far-reaching impact on China and even the world. The advantage of TPE is 1. It can be processed by a general thermoplastic molding machine without special processing equipment. 2. The production efficiency is greatly improved. It can be vulcanized directly by rubber injection molding machine, and the time is shortened from about 20min minutes to less than 1 minute; Because the required vulcanization time is very short, it can be vulcanized directly by extruder, and the production efficiency is greatly improved. 3. It is easy to recycle and reduce the cost. Wastes (burrs, rubber extrusion) and final wastes generated in the production process can be directly returned for reuse; Used TPE products can be recycled after simple regeneration, which reduces environmental pollution and expands the source of renewable resources. 4. Save energy. Most thermoplastic elastomers do not need vulcanization or the vulcanization time is very short, which can effectively save energy. Take the energy consumption of high-pressure hose production as an example: rubber is 188MJ/kg, and TPE is 144MJ/kg, which can save energy by more than 25%. 5. The application field is wider. Because TPE has the advantages of both rubber and plastic, it has opened up a new application field for rubber industry. 6. It can be used to strengthen and toughen plastics. The self-reinforcing property is great, the formula is simplified, the influence of the compounding agent on the polymer is less, and the quality and performance are easier to master. However, the heat resistance of TPE is not as good as that of rubber. With the increase of temperature, the physical properties are greatly reduced, and the application scope is limited. At the same time, the compression deformation, elastic recovery and durability are worse than those of the same rubber, and the price is often higher than that of similar rubber. Nevertheless, the advantages of TPE are still outstanding, and various new TPE products are continuously developed. As a new energy-saving and environment-friendly rubber raw material, its development prospect is very promising. TPE can be processed by ordinary thermoplastic molding machine without special processing equipment. 2. The production efficiency is greatly improved. It can be vulcanized directly by rubber injection molding machine, and the time is shortened from about 20min minutes to less than 1 minute; Because the required vulcanization time is very short, it can be vulcanized directly by extruder, and the production efficiency is greatly improved. 3. It is easy to recycle and reduce the cost. Wastes (burrs, rubber extrusion) and final wastes generated in the production process can be directly returned for reuse; Used TPE products can be recycled after simple regeneration, which reduces environmental pollution and expands the source of renewable resources. 4. Save energy. Most thermoplastic elastomers do not need vulcanization or the vulcanization time is very short, which can effectively save energy. Take the energy consumption of high-pressure hose production as an example: rubber is 188MJ/kg, and TPE is 144MJ/kg, which can save energy by more than 25%. 5. The application field is wider. Because TPE has the advantages of both rubber and plastic, it has opened up a new application field for rubber industry. 6. It can be used to strengthen and toughen plastics. The self-reinforcing property is great, the formula is simplified, the influence of the compounding agent on the polymer is less, and the quality and performance are easier to master. However, the heat resistance of TPE is not as good as that of rubber. With the increase of temperature, the physical properties are greatly reduced, and the application scope is limited. At the same time, the compression deformation, elastic recovery and durability are worse than those of the same rubber, and the price is often higher than that of similar rubber. Nevertheless, the advantages of TPE are still outstanding, and various new TPE products are continuously developed. As a new rubber raw material with energy saving and environmental protection, its development prospect is very promising.