The introduction of the first TPE in the 1960s opened a new realm for designers across various industries. Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) was the first commercially viable TPE, finding applications in automotive and shoe sole manufacturing. Subsequently, the discovery of styrenic copolymers like SBS and SEBS led to a rapid decline in TPU usage for shoe soles. Concurrently, the rise of olefin-based TPEs reduced TPU consumption in automotive contexts, progressively broadening and enhancing the TPE portfolio.
Today, TPEs effectively fulfill the requirements of a diverse array of applications across various industries:
- Automotive Industry
- Dust collectors in front parts, steering boxes, suspension systems
- Door and window gaskets
- Decorative parts inside the cabin
- Flooring and carpeting
- Air ducts
- Construction
- Wire and cable covers
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- Door and window gaskets
- Electrical and Electronic Industries
- Production of electrical and electronic equipment bodies and frames
- Sockets and plugs
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- Production of electrical and electronic equipment bodies and frames
- Household and Industrial Parts
- Clothing and Sports Equipment
- Personal and Sanitary Items
- Shoe Soles
- Medical Parts
- Other Applications
- Animal identification tags
- Pads used in road construction and railways
The ability to finely tune the physical and mechanical characteristics of TPEs, along with their extensive spectrum of attributes, has precipitated the swift evolution of their applications. Within TPEs, the service temperature and mechanical properties can be tailored by selecting the right components. Additionally, other properties including resistance to light, heat, ultraviolet radiation, electrical and thermal conductivity, as well as chemical resilience, can be achieved. The convergence of these factors has propelled TPEs to exhibit greater yearly consumption growth compared to other polymers.