Thermoplastic Elastomers are generally low modulus, flexible materials that can be stretched repeatedly to at least twice their original length at room temperature with an ability to return to their approximate original length when stress is released. The grandfather materials with this property are thermoset rubbers, but many families of injection-moldable thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are replacing traditional rubbers. In addition to use in their basic form, TPEs are widely used to modify the properties of rigid thermoplastics, usually improving impact strength. This is quite common for sheet goods and general molding compounds.

Benefits of TPEs compared to Thermoset Rubbers

* Design flexibility
* Shorter processing times
* Little or no compounding required
* Scrap is fully recyclable
* Consistency of product
* Can be blow molded
* Can be thermoformed
* Lower consumption of energy
* Simpler processing
* Better control of product quality
* Broader range in product density
* More environmentally friendly