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TPC (COPE/TPEE) vs TPE-S (SEBS)

Polymer · grade comparison

TPC (COPE/TPEE) and TPE-S (SEBS) are both polymer grades. TPC (COPE/TPEE) is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) against 6 MPa (0.87 ksi) for TPE-S (SEBS), about 6.7 times as much. In exchange, TPE-S (SEBS) is the more ductile: elongation 650% versus 500% for TPC (COPE/TPEE), and TPC (COPE/TPEE) is harder (55 Shore D vs 15 Shore D). TPE-S (SEBS) is lighter (0.9 g/cm³ vs 1.2 g/cm³ for TPC (COPE/TPEE)) and TPC (COPE/TPEE) is stiffer (0.2 GPa vs 0.01 GPa). On the shop floor, TPE-S (SEBS) sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than TPC (COPE/TPEE) (premium, $$$).

TPC (COPE/TPEE)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

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

TPC (COPE/TPEE) vs TPE-S (SEBS): properties

TPC (COPE/TPEE)TPE-S (SEBS)

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

0.2 GPa0.03 Msi
0.01 GPa8.7×10⁻⁴ Msi

Shear Modulus

0.07 GPa0.01 Msi
—

Poisson's Ratio

0.45
0.48

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

40 MPa5.8 ksi
6 MPa0.87 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

18 MPa2.6 ksi
—

Elongation at Break

500%
650%

Flexural Modulus

0.21 GPa0.03 Msi
0.01 GPa0 Msi

Izod Impact, Notched

900 J/m16.9 ft·lbf/in
—

Hardness, Shore A

96 Shore A
60 Shore A

Hardness, Shore D

55 Shore D
15 Shore D

Tear Strength

145 kN/m828 lbf/in
22 kN/m126 lbf/in

Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)

42%
32%

Shear Strength

—
4 MPa0.51 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Temperature (Tm)

208°C406 °F
—

Glass Transition (Tg)

-50°C-58 °F
-55°C-67 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.6%
0.1%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

2.5%
0.3%

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

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)

120°C248 °F
85°C185 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

105°C221 °F
—

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

50°C122 °F
—

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

180°C356 °F
70°C158 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

21%
19%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

150°C302 °F
120°C248 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,900 J/kg·K0.45 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in
1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

25 kV/mm635 V/mil
22 kV/mm559 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

4
2.4

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.02
6×10⁻⁴

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹³ Ω·cm
1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)

600 V
—

Same in both: Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

80 / 100
70 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

40 / 100
85 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
25 / 100

Weldability

72 / 100
80 / 100

Formability (cold)

85 / 100
90 / 100

Polishability

40 / 100
20 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

1.2%
1.8%

Melt Flow Rate

8 g/10 min
10 g/10 min

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

230°C446 °F
200°C392 °F

Mold Temperature (typ.)

40°C104 °F
30°C86 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

115 MJ/kg49,441 BTU/lb
96 MJ/kg41,273 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5.2 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

2%
0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

33 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 scaleTPC (COPE/TPEE)

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityTPC (COPE/TPEE)TPE-S (SEBS)
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

TPC (COPE/TPEE) vs TPE-S (SEBS) — frequently asked

Is TPC (COPE/TPEE) stronger than TPE-S (SEBS)?

Yes. TPC (COPE/TPEE) has a typical tensile strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) against 6 MPa (0.87 ksi) for TPE-S (SEBS) — about 6.7 times as much.

Which is cheaper, TPC (COPE/TPEE) or TPE-S (SEBS)?

TPE-S (SEBS) is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while TPC (COPE/TPEE) is premium ($$$). 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, TPC (COPE/TPEE) or TPE-S (SEBS)?

TPC (COPE/TPEE), by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for TPE-S (SEBS); for welding the order is TPE-S (SEBS) first (very good, 80/100) then TPC (COPE/TPEE) (very good, 72/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in TPC (COPE/TPEE) 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.