TPC (COPE/TPEE)
ISO 18064 TPC
TPC (COPE/TPEE) is a thermoplastic copolyester elastomer built from hard crystalline polyester blocks and soft polyether or polyester segments.
Reference datasheet — TPC (COPE/TPEE) is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the 55D condition
TPC (COPE/TPEE) grades and fills
TPC (COPE/TPEE) is supplied in 13 conditions, soft to hard. 55D is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 13 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
E-TPEE | Supercritical-CO₂ bead foam for sports midsoles and cushioning: very low density with high resilience and heat resistance vs E-TPU. | 2 | 150 | 15 Shore D | |
Shore D 40 | Softest common TPEE for bellows, CVJ boots, flexible tubing and energy-absorbing dampers needing high flex fatigue at low stiffness. | 8 | 26 | 600 | 40 Shore D |
Partially bio-based TPC | Soft segment from renewable feedstock (typ. 20–60 % bio-carbon) for sustainability targets with near-identical mechanicals to fossil grades. | 15 | 36 | 500 | 50 Shore D |
55DDefault Shore D 55 | Default balance of elasticity, strength and heat resistance; the workhorse for boots, couplings, hose covers, gears and seals. | 18 | 40 | 500 | 55 Shore D |
heat- and UV-stabilized TPC | Use for long-life outdoor or under-hood parts (CVJ boots, wire harness, seals) where thermo-oxidative and UV ageing govern lifetime. | 18 | 38 | 480 | 55 Shore D |
Hydrolysis-resistant TPC | Carbodiimide-stabilized grade for hot water, humid or steam-exposed service where standard ester chemistry would degrade. | 18 | 38 | 480 | 55 Shore D |
FR V-0 | Pick for cable jacketing, connectors and rail/EV parts requiring UL 94 V-0 with low smoke and no halogens. | 19 | 28 | 300 | 55 Shore D |
Antistatic / conductive TPC compound | Carbon-black or CNT filled compound for static-dissipative rollers, tubing and fuel-system parts. | 20 | 28 | 250 | 58 Shore D |
Shore D 63 | Choose when higher load-bearing stiffness and creep resistance are needed but elastic recovery is still required (gears, sprockets, snow-plough parts). | 22 | 42 | 450 | 63 Shore D |
Shore D 72 | Semi-rigid grade for high-pressure hose cores, jacket layers, wear pads and snap-fit structural parts with residual elasticity. | 28 | 46 | 400 | 72 Shore D |
Shore D 82 | Hardest standard TPEE, near-engineering-plastic stiffness with high impact toughness; used for hose reinforcement, ski/boot shells and structural clips. | 38 | 48 | 350 | 82 Shore D |
15 % glass-fiber reinforced TPC | Moderate reinforcement for parts needing higher stiffness and dimensional stability while keeping some ductility. | 48 | 20 | 72 Shore D | |
30 % glass-fiber reinforced TPC | Highest-stiffness TPEE for load-bearing, creep-critical parts under the hood where high HDT and low warpage matter more than elasticity. | 68 | 8 | 78 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways TPC (COPE/TPEE) is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
EXT | High-viscosity extrusion / blow-molding grade | Supply form |
MED | Medical / FDA food-contact grade TPC | Certification |
What is TPC (COPE/TPEE)?
TPC (COPE/TPEE) is a thermoplastic copolyester elastomer built from hard crystalline polyester blocks and soft polyether or polyester segments. Engineers select it for heat, fatigue and chemical resistance above TPU and TPV in dynamic parts, supplied as moulding pellets, extruded tube and profile, blow-moulded boots and printer filament. The 55D reference grade is 1.2 g/cm3 with 18 MPa yield, 40 MPa tensile strength, 500 % elongation, 0.2 GPa modulus and 120 °C service; the range spans 40D to 82D plus GF15/GF30, FR, HS-UV, hydrolysis-resistant, foam, bio, ESD, medical and extrusion grades. It is hygroscopic and hydrolysis-sensitive, so drying is mandatory; for softer, lower-cost seals use TPV. TPC (COPE/TPEE) has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -50°C (-58 °F). TPC (COPE/TPEE) has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 500% and the elastic modulus is 0.2 GPa (0.029 Msi).
What is TPC (COPE/TPEE) used for?
- automotive constant-velocity boots
- gears/springs
- cable jackets
- sporting goods
- industrial hoses
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 500%, better than 90% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 81% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 72/100, better than 80% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 30/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Low strength — 18 MPa (2.61 ksi), worse than 82% of polymer grades
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 0.6%, worse than 75% of polymer grades
TPC (COPE/TPEE) properties
Typical room-temperature values for TPC (COPE/TPEE)-55D; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
TPC (COPE/TPEE) has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -50°C (-58 °F).
Mechanical12
TPC (COPE/TPEE) has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 500% and the elastic modulus is 0.2 GPa (0.029 Msi).
Thermal11
TPC (COPE/TPEE) is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 0.23 W/m·K (0.133 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 65% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 150 µm/m·K (83.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
TPC (COPE/TPEE) is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹¹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 52% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of TPC (COPE/TPEE) takes about 115 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 2%.
Manufacturability8
TPC (COPE/TPEE)'s machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. TPC (COPE/TPEE) is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with TPC (COPE/TPEE)
Is TPC (COPE/TPEE) easy to machine?
Soft grades smear and deflect — use very sharp positive-rake tools, high speed/low feed, chilled or fixtured workpieces; hard 72–82 D grades machine much like acetal.
Can TPC (COPE/TPEE) be welded?
Readily joined by hot-plate, ultrasonic, vibration, HF/RF and laser welding; solvent bonding is poor, use polyurethane or cyanoacrylate adhesives after plasma/primer treatment.
Can TPC (COPE/TPEE) be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.05 % (2–3 h at 100–110 °C) to prevent hydrolytic MW loss; inject at 200–250 °C melt, 20–60 °C mould, fast fill with generous gates; also extrudable, blow-mouldable and 3D-printable as filament.
TPC (COPE/TPEE) chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) hard secrystalline 4GT block; higher fraction = higher Shore D and Tm | 30 – 85 | 55 |
| antioxidant / hydrolysis / UV stabilizerhindered phenol + carbodiimide + HALS/carbon black depending on grade | 0.2 – 2 | 1 |
| glass fiberonly in GF variants | 0 – 40 | 0 |
| polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) polyether soft block; polyester (e.g. polycaprolactone/adipate) soft segments used in oil/heat-optimised types | ≥ 15 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on TPC (COPE/TPEE)?
Takes in-mould texture and pad/screen printing with PU inks after flame or plasma treatment; not electroplatable, and overmoulds well onto PBT, PET and PC/ABS substrates.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to TPC (COPE/TPEE) in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ISO
- 18064 TPC
- Also called
- TPCTPEE
How much does TPC (COPE/TPEE) cost?
TPC (COPE/TPEE) is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
TPC (COPE/TPEE) — frequently asked
What is TPC (COPE/TPEE) used for?
TPC (COPE/TPEE) is typically used for automotive constant-velocity boots, gears/springs, cable jackets, sporting goods and industrial hoses. In short: toughest TPE for dynamic flexing; higher heat resistance than TPU; machinable at 72-82 D.
What is the yield strength of TPC (COPE/TPEE)?
TPC (COPE/TPEE) has a typical yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is TPC (COPE/TPEE) easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades). Soft grades smear and deflect — use very sharp positive-rake tools, high speed/low feed, chilled or fixtured workpieces; hard 72–82 D grades machine much like acetal.
Can TPC (COPE/TPEE) be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Readily joined by hot-plate, ultrasonic, vibration, HF/RF and laser welding; solvent bonding is poor, use polyurethane or cyanoacrylate adhesives after plasma/primer treatment.
What surface finishes work on TPC (COPE/TPEE)?
Takes in-mould texture and pad/screen printing with PU inks after flame or plasma treatment; not electroplatable, and overmoulds well onto PBT, PET and PC/ABS substrates.
Can TPC (COPE/TPEE) be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.05 % (2–3 h at 100–110 °C) to prevent hydrolytic MW loss; inject at 200–250 °C melt, 20–60 °C mould, fast fill with generous gates; also extrudable, blow-mouldable and 3D-printable as filament.
What is the maximum service temperature of TPC (COPE/TPEE)?
TPC (COPE/TPEE) is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F), and briefly to 150°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between TPC (COPE/TPEE) 55D and TPC (COPE/TPEE) 82D?
55D is the default condition — default balance of elasticity, strength and heat resistance; the workhorse for boots, couplings, hose covers, gears and seals. 82D: hardest standard TPEE, near-engineering-plastic stiffness with high impact toughness; used for hose reinforcement, ski/boot shells and structural clips. Yield strength is 18 MPa in 55D versus 38 MPa in 82D.
How much does TPC (COPE/TPEE) cost?
TPC (COPE/TPEE) is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ISO 18064 Thermoplastic elastomers — Nomenclature and abbreviated terms — ISO (2014)
- Hytrel TPC-ET product and design guide — DuPont / Celanese (2023)
- Arnitel copolyester elastomer datasheets — Envalior (DSM Engineering Materials) (2023)
- Riteflex thermoplastic polyester elastomer datasheets — Celanese (2022)
- Pelprene TPEE technical data — Toyobo (2022)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector TPC-ET property sets — CAMPUS Consortium / UL (2024)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.