TPA (PEBA) vs TPC (COPE/TPEE)
Polymer · grade comparison
TPA (PEBA) and TPC (COPE/TPEE) are both polymer grades. TPA (PEBA) is the stronger of the two: yield strength 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) against 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) for TPC (COPE/TPEE), about 11% more; tensile strength follows at 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) vs 40 MPa (5.8 ksi). In exchange, TPC (COPE/TPEE) is the more ductile: elongation 500% versus 430% for TPA (PEBA), and TPA (PEBA) is harder (60 Shore D vs 55 Shore D). TPA (PEBA) is lighter (1.01 g/cm³ vs 1.2 g/cm³ for TPC (COPE/TPEE)) and TPA (PEBA) is stiffer (0.22 GPa vs 0.2 GPa). On the shop floor, TPC (COPE/TPEE) sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than TPA (PEBA) (high, $$$$).
TPA (PEBA)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
TPC (COPE/TPEE)Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
TPA (PEBA) vs TPC (COPE/TPEE): propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore A
Hardness, Shore D
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Shear Modulus
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.45
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Same in both: Water Absorption (24 h) 0.6%
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.23 W/m·K0.13 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 150 µm/m·K83.3 µin/in·°F · Limiting Oxygen Index 21%
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Same in both: Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 4
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: UV / Weathering Resistance 40 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Polishability
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Formability (cold) 85 / 100 · Mold Shrinkage 1.2% · Melt Flow Rate 8 g/10 min
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 0.2 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | TPA (PEBA) | TPC (COPE/TPEE) |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
TPA (PEBA) vs TPC (COPE/TPEE) — frequently asked
Is TPA (PEBA) stronger than TPC (COPE/TPEE)?
Yes. TPA (PEBA) has a typical yield strength of 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) against 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) for TPC (COPE/TPEE) — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) vs 40 MPa (5.8 ksi).
Which is cheaper, TPA (PEBA) or TPC (COPE/TPEE)?
TPC (COPE/TPEE) is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while TPA (PEBA) is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, TPA (PEBA) or TPC (COPE/TPEE)?
TPC (COPE/TPEE), by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for TPA (PEBA).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in TPA (PEBA) and TPC (COPE/TPEE) side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.