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TPA (PEBA) vs TPE-S (SEBS)

Polymer · grade comparison

TPA (PEBA) and TPE-S (SEBS) are both polymer grades. TPA (PEBA) is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) against 6 MPa (0.87 ksi) for TPE-S (SEBS), about 8.7 times as much. In exchange, TPE-S (SEBS) is the more ductile: elongation 650% versus 430% for TPA (PEBA), and TPA (PEBA) is harder (60 Shore D vs 15 Shore D). TPE-S (SEBS) is lighter (0.9 g/cm³ vs 1.01 g/cm³ for TPA (PEBA)) and TPA (PEBA) is stiffer (0.22 GPa vs 0.01 GPa). On the shop floor, TPE-S (SEBS) sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than TPA (PEBA) (high, $$$$).

TPA (PEBA)Choose it when strength drives the design.

TPE-S (SEBS)Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

TPA (PEBA) vs TPE-S (SEBS): properties

TPA (PEBA)TPE-S (SEBS)

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

0.22 GPa0.03 Msi
0.01 GPa8.7×10⁻⁴ Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.45
0.48

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

52 MPa7.5 ksi
6 MPa0.87 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

20 MPa2.9 ksi
—

Elongation at Break

430%
650%

Flexural Modulus

0.22 GPa0.03 Msi
0.01 GPa0 Msi

Izod Impact, Notched

950 J/m17.8 ft·lbf/in
—

Hardness, Shore A

95 Shore A
60 Shore A

Hardness, Shore D

60 Shore D
15 Shore D

Tear Strength

120 kN/m685 lbf/in
22 kN/m126 lbf/in

Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)

45%
32%

Shear Strength

—
4 MPa0.51 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.01 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³
0.9 g/cm³0.03 lb/in³

Melting Temperature (Tm)

165°C329 °F
—

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.6%
0.1%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

1.5%
0.3%

Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) -55°C-67 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

0.23 W/m·K0.13 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.17 W/m·K0.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

2,000 J/kg·K0.48 BTU/lb·°F
1,900 J/kg·K0.45 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

150 µm/m·K83.3 µin/in·°F
200 µm/m·K111 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

80°C176 °F
85°C185 °F

Min Service Temperature

-40°C-40 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

55°C131 °F
—

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

40°C104 °F
—

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

115°C239 °F
70°C158 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

21%
19%

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (short-term) 120°C248 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹⁰ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁷ µΩ·in
1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

20 kV/mm508 V/mil
22 kV/mm559 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

4
2.4

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹² Ω·cm
1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm

Surface Resistivity

1×10¹³ Ω
1×10¹⁴ Ω

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

—
6×10⁻⁴

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

82 / 100
70 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

40 / 100
85 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Weldability

75 / 100
80 / 100

Formability (cold)

85 / 100
90 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
20 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

1.2%
1.8%

Melt Flow Rate

8 g/10 min
10 g/10 min

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

235°C455 °F
200°C392 °F

Same in both: Machinability 25 / 100 · Mold Temperature (typ.) 30°C86 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

140 MJ/kg60,189 BTU/lb
96 MJ/kg41,273 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

7.5 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

51 kN·m/kg
7 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

0.2 MN·m/kg
0 MN·m/kg

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

0
1

Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s

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.

0.1110100123Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleTPA (PEBA)

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityTPA (PEBA)TPE-S (SEBS)
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

TPA (PEBA) vs TPE-S (SEBS) — frequently asked

Is TPA (PEBA) stronger than TPE-S (SEBS)?

Yes. TPA (PEBA) has a typical tensile strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) against 6 MPa (0.87 ksi) for TPE-S (SEBS) — about 8.7 times as much.

Which is cheaper, TPA (PEBA) or TPE-S (SEBS)?

TPE-S (SEBS) is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard 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 welds better, TPA (PEBA) or TPE-S (SEBS)?

TPE-S (SEBS). Its weldability rates very good (80/100) against very good (75/100) for TPA (PEBA).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in TPA (PEBA) and TPE-S (SEBS) 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.