According to a report, the global demand for thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) will grow at a double-digit rate in several years, the growth rate is staggering, and the development potential cannot be ignored

According to a report, the global demand for thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) will grow at a double-digit rate in a few years, the growth rate is staggering, and the development potential cannot be ignored. With the advantages of easy processing, weather resistance, soft feel and easy coloring, TPE gradually increases its dosage in various occasions.

The automobile industry is the largest consumer, followed by the construction industry

Among the many uses of TPE, automobiles and their parts account for the largest portion, which can be used in the production of external trim parts such as water baffle, seal, wiper, as well as interior trim parts such as airbags, rearview mirrors, sound insulation materials, anti-slip MATS, adjustment MATS and beverage cup holders, and can be used as an alternative material to EPDM and PVC.

There are several reasons why automotive components are moving away from EPDM and PVC, and this trend is particularly evident in Europe. Jean-Marc Imbert, European Market Manager for ethylene elastomers at Dupont Dow Elastomers, pointed out that the need for sustainable development is the reason for the rise in TPE potential. It requires light weight of the vehicle, so it needs low-density, foamable materials; Low pollutant discharge requires no plasticizer content; Auto parts can be recycled; Replacing PVC and implementing halogen-free systems are the driving forces for TPE to be favored by the market.

German plastic treasure (KRAIBURG TPE) revealed to this newspaper that in general, the average use of TPE in a car is about 10 kg to 15 kg. In addition to exterior trim and interior trim, anti-slip pads are a large market.

In addition, airbags and constant speed universal joint covers are also potential markets. DSM Engineering Plastics Co., Ltd. is based on the production of TPE-E, and its elastomer materials are mainly used to produce the above two kinds of auto parts. The company's Arnitel Asia Pacific product manager, Schroeder, said the use of TPE in the two products reached 12 thousand tons and 17 thousand tons per year respectively.

Another major application area of TPE is the construction industry, which can be used as door and window seals, gaskets, etc. KRAIBURG TPE sales manager and application engineer Bu Gaode pointed out that because TPE has excellent processability, easy coloring, no need for pre-drying, mechanical properties and good weather resistance, it has gradually entered the traditional furniture field with ABS as the main material. Increased security awareness in Europe, requiring the gradual reduction of the use of PVC doors and Windows to prevent plasticizer infiltration, coupled with EPDM coloring difficulties, can not be welded, provide a good opportunity for TPE application.

DSM has developed a breathable TPE film for the European and American markets as a building material, laying a layer of laminated breathable film on the wall, which can keep the room fresh, and the film thickness is only 10μm~15μm. Schroeder said the TPE film building material has been popular in Europe and the United States for four to five years, but it is more difficult to implement in Asia because of the wet weather in Asia, where the film does not prevent moisture from seeping in. But in any case, TPE is one of the ideal building materials.

TPE treatment and future design

TPE, like other thermoplastics, will be hygroscopic during transportation. Lai Yiyan, South China Regional manager of the elastomer Business Division of Hetai Company, said that TPE must be dried before injection or blow molding, usually at 80°C for 2 hours. Take the HAR series of Hetai as an example, this material can be injection molding of soft and hard materials, and it is completely unnecessary to use adhesives, solvents and other processing before injection molding, but it is necessary to ensure that the material is completely dry to increase the adhesive force, and in the design of product mold, it is necessary to increase the adhesive surface of soft and hard materials or add special three-dimensional structure.

TPV is a kind of TPE, but it is more sensitive to shear force. Advanced Elastomer Systems (AES), which specializes in the production of TPV, points out that TPV is a shear thinning material, so all factors affecting the shear force (such as injection speed) must be considered when injection molding, which is more important than temperature control. In the mold design, because the elastomer is a flexible material, it may encounter some difficulties when ejecting. Mold closing edges, gates and exhaust ports should be carefully designed. If TPV is used for two-component injection molding, the hardware needs to be molded before the elastomer is injected.

A distinguishing feature of TPE is its soft feel. Mei Se Wong, Marketing Control Manager at KRAIBURG TPE, believes that soft feel is still the design direction of TPE in the future, and coupled with the transparency of the market, I believe that it will lead the trend. In terms of materials, TPE will be further used to combine with other thermoplastics, such as PMMA, PC, PS, etc.

Schroder agrees that soft handles will continue to dominate the market, but processors will demand shorter production cycles and find more cost-effective processing methods. The fluidity of the material must be higher to further compete for the market share of rubber, such as spring bed foam mattresses and car cover covers will give up rubber and use more TPE. In terms of application, there are some new areas that can be developed, for example, the credit card itself is made of PC or PVC, and it can be tried to be manufactured by TPE, but it may involve the coordination of laser coding technology. Another new use is food packaging, because TPE meets FDA standards and can be in direct contact with food, which is very advantageous in terms of film or container.

Lai Yiyan also said that in the consumer market where consumers pursue comfort, high texture and emphasis on leisure style, TPE has excellent feel and texture, and can provide appropriate shock-proof effect, and the bonding of soft and hard double materials is unmatched by other materials, so TPE will be further expanded in some applications, such as mobile phones and walkie-talkie in the 3C industry. Sports supplies diving gear, bicycle grips, etc.

AES has worked with industrial supply designers in various countries in the past to develop a variety of innovative products, including the combination of seals and grips in small electronics; Special effect colorants to distinguish products; Combine soft and hard materials to produce geometric and interface lines; And combine three different hardness materials into one component. The company will continue to strengthen its collaboration with designers around the world, especially in China.

There are many materials available on the market, and many thermoplastics and modified plastics also have soft grade materials, which can create rubber characteristics and feel, will it bring certain pressure to TPE? AES believes this is not a serious situation because not all materials with soft feel and rubbery properties are the same. Although many modified plastics, and even various Tpes, have similar physical properties, the final performance varies over time. Therefore, the processor must be careful to choose TPE, if you need to use TPV when you choose to use TPE without vulcanization, the performance will not be ideal. It is very beneficial to work with a TPE supplier who has experience in producing TPE and successfully developing applications.

TPE usage grows in China

TPE because of a wide range of applications, easy processing, recyclable, environmental protection and other characteristics, is increasingly welcomed by the majority of users, many industries are gradually replacing traditional rubber with TPE, China's TPE market is also growing at an alarming rate.

AES learned from a report on the TPE market in China that the consumer goods and automotive industries are the two major TPE application markets. The consumer goods market includes a range of products such as kitchen and garden tools, power tools, small appliances and personal electronics (such as mobile phones). The growth of these products is mainly driven by the sourcing of components in China by manufacturers from the United States, Europe and Japan. As they gain experience, these processors or system suppliers in China will also make suggestions for local consumer goods, such as adding soft surfaces to design products.

In the automotive market, TPE and TPV have been successfully used in millions of vehicles worldwide, including under hood and chassis, window guide, interior and exterior trim. The interest of automotive Oems in TPV to improve the appearance and performance of vehicles will help promote the development of this material in China.

Lai Yiyan pointed out that the Chinese market is now more commonly used SBS, SEBS, SEPS, EPDM/PP several categories, more used in hardware tools, stationery, sporting goods, toys, personal care and other aspects, in wire and cable, medical equipment and other aspects also have a wide range of applications. In addition, although PVC still occupies a large market share in the construction industry, the trend of TPE replacing PVC cannot be ignored, mainly used in doors and Windows seals. He believes that TPE materials have received global attention because of their environmental protection, and for China, if it wants to be in line with international standards and develop into a world economic power, it must meet international environmental requirements. Therefore, it is imperative to accelerate the development of TPE in China.