Structure determines performance, and performance determines application. This is the usual way of thinking when learning about a material. This article discusses the anti-slip properties and applications of TPE / TPR materials along this line of thought. Zh
TPE / TPR is a soft rubber material. Related materials with similar performance to TPE / TPR include EVA / POE, PVC, silicone, TPU / TPV, (vulcanized) rubber, etc.
1.EVA / POE, belongs to the class of polyolefin elastomer TPO. Although this kind of elastomer has a soft touch, but because the molecular monomer unit is a single directly connected olefin polymer structure, does not contain a benzene ring, the material has insufficient slip resistance, and has poor slip resistance and wear resistance. It has limited application for injection molding of soft rubber products, generally some craft jewelry, small toy products, and toughening modification. Zh
2. PVC soft glue. One of the hydrogen atoms in the polyethylene was replaced by chlorine, and the polyethylene also became PVC. Although PVC has good elasticity, it lacks rubber texture and general anti-slip performance. In addition, the environmental protection performance of PVC also affects its application space. Zh
3. Silicone. The molecular chain structure of silica gel only gives it excellent resilience, aging and weather resistance, and excellent environmental protection characteristics. Silicone shell has excellent soft touch, but it is not good at slip resistance. Zh
4. TPU / TPV. These are two common types of thermoplastic elastomers. Both materials have a certain rubber slip resistance. But these two materials are inferior in soft touch. Zh
5. (Vulcanized) rubber. This material has excellent abrasion resistance and non-slip properties. The vulcanized rubber system has excellent heat and chemical resistance and physical and mechanical properties, making its applications mostly focused on industry. Automotive tires and industrial conveyor belt industries are its most important applications. One.
6. TPE / TPR elastomer. This refers to SEBS, SBS polystyrene-based elastomer alloys. This kind of material has styrene rigid molecular structure and flexible butadiene (or butene-ethylene) molecular chain structure, which makes TPE / TPR have certain strength and excellent flexible touch at the same time. TPE / TPR's strength, abrasion resistance and non-slip performance are not as good as vulcanized rubber, making its application areas for some daily products, tool hardware, and electronic products. The following are some application examples of products that utilize the non-slip properties of TPE and TPR:
Handlebar handle class. Tool hardware, bicycle handlebars, luggage handles, knives and kitchenware handles
Non-slip mats. Such as non-slip mats for automobiles, anti-slip mats for interior accessories, anti-slip mats for mobile phones, (material surface has strong adhesion), bathroom slip pads, water glass coasters (composite injection molding or single material molding), non-slip bowl mats . Zh
Sole. TPR sole has excellent non-slip performance, and compared with rubber, the taste is much smaller, and the sole feels softer and more comfortable when worn. Zh
Various (industrial, stroller) casters. In the caster industry, both TPE / TPR and TPU are used. But TPR has softer non-slip properties and can be used to produce silent casters for the medical industry. TPU casters are relatively loud. Zh
The special non-slip characteristics of TPE / TPR provide more possibilities for people's work and life. The adjustable characteristics of hardness and physical properties provide a wide range of imagination and design space for product designers. Its environmentally friendly and non-toxic properties give consumers complete peace of mind. Thermoplastic elastomers TPE and TPR are committed to creating a better and comfortable life!
